POLITICALLY-speaking, DAP does not have much invested in the Malay heartland of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

But DAP leader Lim Kit Siang recently journeyed there with a message of moderation and goodwill because the three states count, not in the number of potential votes for the party, but because they are a part of Malaysia.

Fresh from visiting 12 towns on the east coast during Aidilfitri, Lim said he was on a mission to combat extremism, although he admitted that the coming election was crucial for Malaysia’s future.

He said what was more important than political parties was the test Malaysia now faced – nation-building, and whether the country was becoming a more successful state or a failed one.

“We have to promote the important values of moderation and goodwill, not extremism that has been rearing its ugly head,” he told reporters after Penang DAP’s Hari Raya open house in Nibong Tebal today.

The DAP parliamentary opposition leader said there were concerns that Islamist State (IS) elements were taking root in Southeast Asia, even though the terrorist group was being driven back in Syria and the Middle East.

“But IS has supporters all over the world, including in Asia. The IS of Asia covers countries like Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand and Japan.

“We also have key figures from Malaysia, like that bomb maker who used to be a Universiti Malaya lecturer… we cannot let extremism run riot.

“We need to create the condition, where we have all races and faiths co-operating on a moderate basis. Then we can talk about Malaysia achieving a golden age, instead of becoming a global kleptocracy where human rights are not respected.”

And this was why Lim ventured into the east coast states, where DAP would not contest in a major way in the next general election. 

“The east coast is also part of Malaysia. In this country, I believe we are all moderate people, regardless of our race and religion.

“I am supposed to be the ‘jembalang’ (demonic being),” he said, citing the label he is given by political rivals who paint him as anti-Malay, anti-Islam, a communist, foreign agent and even a demon.

“(But) In my 52 years in politics, I have never encountered hostility (from ordinary Malaysians), only goodwill and understanding. I think we must promote that. 

“It will be the answer for Malaysia’s success. If we fail, this will be the cause. That is why I went for the ‘jelajah raya’ (festive tour of east coast).”

Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang are Malay Muslim majority states where voters traditionally support Umno and PAS, a former ally of the DAP. PAS and DAP broke ties in 2015 after PAS insisted on implementing the shariah penal code in Kelantan. 

In his speeches at the events of the festive tour, which are also posted on his blog, Lim spoke about unity, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and other current issues affecting the people.

On the 1MDB scandal, Lim told reporters that PAS and its president Abdul Hadi Awang had been caught for being apologists for the Najib administration.

He cited Hadi’s recent open letter asking political parties to refrain from attacking the prime minister over the 1MDB issue, and hardline PAS leaders’ claims that the civil suits filed by the US Department of Justice over kleptocracy was “foreign intervention”.

Lim also noted that PAS had adopted the Umno cyber troopers’ line of attack in the party’s response to his statement that he hoped to see Kelantan Amanah adviser Husam Musa  become Kelantan’s next menteri besar.

“They now say it is proven that the MB of Kelantan will be appointed by DAP. It proves that Husam is my stooge,” said Lim.

Several other Pakatan Harapan leaders, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have previously also been accused of being Lim’s stooges.

“I may as well be the master of the universe since it is alluded that I supposedly have control over the DoJ and the governments of Switzerland and Singapore. The allegations are so ridiculous,” he said.

The US, Swiss and Singapore governments are running investigations into 1MDB over kleptocracy and money laundering while Malaysia’s Attorney-General’s Chambers has cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of any wrongdoing in relation to the case. – July 1, 2017.