UMNO is on the wrong track if it thinks its fight in the 14th general election is against DAP, Lim Guan Eng said.

“It is not Umno versus DAP. It is Umno versus the people of Malaysia. DAP is only one of four parties in Pakatan Harapan,” DAP’s secretary-general said.

“They will single out DAP because we are easy to bully, being a non-Malay, non-Muslim party,” he told a press conference in Komtar today.

The Penang chief minister was asked to comment on his party being the focus of Umno’s attacks during the latter’s 71st general assembly, which is taking place at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The Umno information bureau has put up an exhibition featuring 20 anti-DAP images and other caricatures mocking PH leaders like chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, deputy presidents Mohamed Sabu and Guan Eng, and DAP parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang.

Guan Eng said he was shocked to find his face featured in the exhibition, and questioned in jest, whether the use of his picture was a copyright infringement.

“Umno is bankrupt of ideas, playing up racial and religious issues to create tension among the people.

“Up to now they have not addressed the issues concerning GST (goods and services tax) and corruption. Why no cartoons about GST?”

Guan Eng said in a democracy, he accepted being criticised but criticism should be based on facts.

“I am under wild and continuous attacks. It appears they can do it without restriction or action taken.”

Guan Eng said the opposition was willing to face these kinds of challenges, and to fight the narrative put forward by Umno.

“Malaysians need to stand up to change the government to stop this bullying and arrogance by BN and Umno.

“So in the next general election, it is not Umno against DAP, but Umno against the people of Malaysia. We won’t allow them to change the narrative and divert attention,” he said.

Also present at the press conference was political cartoonist Zunar or Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, who called it a “comic fairy tale” Umno was trying to spin against DAP.

Earlier, Guan Eng witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Penang International Halal Hub (PIHH) Development Sdn Bhd and e-commerce company Aladdinstreet.com, which is the world’s first exclusive premium halal e-marketplace.

They will cooperate to promote products and services offered by members of PIHH, which is also known as Halal Penang, on Aladdinstreet.com. 

The deal is set to benefit halal industry players through cross-border engagement and import-export facilitation via Aladdinstreet.com’s network of 20 e-commerce platforms worldwide.

Launched in 2016, Aladdinstreet.com is owned by Aladdin Group, which is also the exclusive global partner of Manchester United football club. – December 6, 2017.