CHINESE-MAJORITY DAP is set to make a major breakthrough in Johor with the introduction of the first Malay leader for the state’s youth wing DAPSY this weekend.

There are only two candidates vying for the Johor DAPSY chief post, and Marina Ibrahim and Johor Sports and Youth exco Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali are both Malay.

The introduction of young Malay leaders is important for DAP in its efforts to get the Malay votes and make inroads into Umno’s fortress in Johor.

Marina, 31, joined DAP in 2016, and feels that this is the right time for DAPSY to take a more prominent in role in youth issues as DAP was now a ruling party in the state as well as on the national front

“Not many are aware of DAPSY, which is DAP’s Youth body,” said Marina, who is personal assistant to Senai assemblyman Alan Tee.

The Kluang-born candidate said the state’s youth wing had been inactive for the past few years and it was time to revitalise the wing.

She said the youth will be even more important in the next elections if the government succeeds in lowering the voting age to 18.

“Young voters were an important segment in GE14 and come GE15 they will be an even bigger group.

“With the unexpected win of Pakatan Harapan in the last general election, DAP needs all the help it can get to engage the youth to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and wants,” said Marina, who used to work in an NGO for juveniles with problems.

On her choosing to join DAP over other political parties, Marina said it reminded her of her childhood.

“My mother was a single mom and when I was young, she had to work in Johor Baru. As such, my sister and I grew up at my grandparents’ house in an estate in Yong Peng.

“That was a beautiful time as there was real unity among Malaysians.”

Marina said her grandfather used to bring them along for his morning coffee at a Chinese coffee shop, where she watched him mingle happily with his Chinese and Indian friends.

“It used to be quite far to get to our village. The taxi would drop us at the main road and we would have to walk. But most times, we didn’t have to walk as there would be a Chinese or Indian uncle who would give us a lift. The kapchais (small cc-ed motorcycles) could fit all four of us,” she added.

DAP, said Marina, reminded her of that bond she had with other races as a child and it was the right time to step up.

Man from PAS to shake things up

The other candidate Sheikh is no stranger to youth politics.

Before he joined DAP in 2015, Sheikh got into the limelight when he challenged the PAS central committee to go against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. At that time, Sheikh was a PAS member and an activist with a PAS pressure group called Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera.

After the break-up of PAS which led to the formation of Amanah, Sheikh decided to join DAP to bring “Islam” into the party.

Since then, the former PAS member has found prominence in the “Chinese-dominated” party.

The Johor native was first paired with DAP state chief and political education chief Liew Chin Tong. And in 2018, Sheikh contested and won the Paloh state seat.

Following his GE victory, Sheikh joined the Johor state exco as one of the two youngest executive councillors. The other youngest is DAPSY vice chief Liow Cai Tung. She is the women’s exco while Sheikh is in charge of youth and sports.

It is natural that Sheikh should wish to play a bigger role in the politics of his home state.

“This is a manifestation of hope by DAPSY members looking forward to a new trajectory in the era of Malaysia Baru.

“Beyond our core tasks in political education, organisational management and growth, DAPSY leaders must also shoulder the responsibility to prepare the youth in the party for future leadership role,” said Sheikh on what he planned to do if elected chief on Saturday.

Sheikh said DAP faced very challenging political currents in national and state politics as well as within Pakatan Harapan.

“Starting as an activist when I was a student in university fighting against the injustices of Barisan Nasional, we all have to rise to the occasion to serve the party and the country,” said the father of three.

A strategic move?

Although DAP is the oldest party in Pakatan Harapan, it also has the smallest youth group which accounts for less than 15% of the total 100,00 membership.

DAPSY currently has 13,750 members nationwide with only 2,072 in Johor.

And while activating its youth wing makes sense now, is it a move to pare down the party’s “Chinese” image as Umno and PAS have used it as a point of attack?

“This is not the first time that DAPSY has non-Chinese state chief as Mordi Anak Bimbol is now the Sarawak DAPSY chief. The party believes in equal opportunity and equal rights. We should highlight each candidates’ merits and not their race or religion,” Liow told The Malaysian Insight.

As for herself, Liow, who is one of DAP’s most popular youth leaders in Johor, said that she decided not to contest to pave the way for others.

“I am DAPSY national vice chairman and I have decided not to contest at the state level to let others have a chance to rise,” said the 31-year-old.

Sheikh agreed that race politics isn’t the way to shore up Malay support for the party.

“I contest therefore not with the aim of attracting more Malay members and so on, but to ensure that DAPSY’s door is open and inviting to for all youth, regardless of their backgrounds.

“I want to see DAPSY recruiting more like-minded youth, those who share a common dream and purpose - that we should be ready to serve and work for the betterment of society, that we should prioritise socioecomic advancement and human development for all, rather than be stuck with the same old racial politics.

“In the context of DAPSY, I wish to see a new generation of young leaders growing into the mould of Malaysia Baharu. Giving us - the young leaders - the space and opportunities to play our role in nation building,” he said.

While it is uncertain which of the two candidates will emerge the victor tomorrow, Johor DAPSY is sure to make history with its first Malay chief. – July 5, 2019.