Politically Frank: DAP, Pas survive on 3R issues, says MCA man

SHAH ALAM - MCA Vice President Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker has voiced concerns over DAP's longstanding use of race, religion and royalty or 3R narrative, coupled with selective messaging, which he says has contributed to a radicalising its members.

However, Ti said the Barisan Nasional coalition made up of Umno, MCA and MIC work towards unity without resorting to playing up radical issues while Pakatan Harapan (PH), particularly DAP, tends to borrow ideas of unity and harmony from BN.

”Pas and DAP are known to have a tradition of radicalising their supporters by making promises which they cannot deliver, such as local government elections, doing away with Bumiputera rights.

”They have promised to return English as the official language and to use vernacular languages like Tamil and Chinese to be allowed to be used in the state assemblies and parliament,” Ti said during an interview with Sinar Daily's Politically Frank.

Despite efforts towards unity, Ti said the divide is growing, as both DAP and Pas continue to radicalise their supporters.

However, Ti says this is not new as DAP's 3R narrative has been ongoing for 60 years.

"They are in the government, though they have banned 3R issues because they know the power of playing up these issues. It's very emotional and provocative and they see that Pas is doing the same," Ti said.

"They feel they have managed to radicalise their supporters because in democracy, when you get two-thirds support, you have a healthy democracy but if you get 90 per cent support, that is radical support; it's only through radicalisation."

Due to that, he said parties seek to strike a balance between appealing to their respective bases and promoting national unity.