ZAID Ibrahim is a man with a mission. He wants Kelantan folk to start looking at DAP as a political party that they can trust and not as anti-Islam as labelled all this while.

Fresh from his appointment as DAP’s Kelantan chief, Zaid started his task with a roadshow in his own village, Kg Chap in Bekelam Bachok over the weekend.

Zaid explained why he has taken up this task, adding that the Malays in PAS-ruled Kelantan must accept Pakatan Harapan as the government.

The state can only progress if the Malays there started trusting PH and stop believing the demonisation of DAP.

“After the last general election, I see that Kelantan remains in the hands of opposition (PAS), and continues to be a poor state,” said the former minister under Barisan Nasional.

He also dismissed talks that he was there on behalf of DAP to split the Malays, adding that he has the interest of Malays and Kelantanese in his heart.

“Some say Zaid Ibrahim is trying to divide the Malays and Islam. This does not make sense at all. Why would I try to do such a thing?

“I want to see greater development in Kelantan and I will not destroy the state. I will not divide Malay politics.”

At the same time, he also doesn’t understand the Malay fear of DAP that he deems unfounded.

“People are afraid of DAP as though they are seeing a ghost. DAP is actually an old party, just like MIC and MCA. But because of DAP’s political ideology, people slam them.

“Don’t forget, DAP is part of the ruling pact. If people hate the ruling pact, then it is their loss.”

Zaid said he’s not inviting the Malays in Kelantan to join DAP but trying to stop their politics of hate against the party.

The villagers in Zaid’s hometown, meanwhile, said it’d be difficult for him to accomplish his mission but it was not impossible.

A local who wants to be known only as Haji Ariffin said Zaid is easily accepted by the people there as he is a local and their elected rep once.

“But to change the mindset of the Malays here is not going to be easy, but it is not impossible.”

Another villager, Din, 29, agreed, saying the locals have difficulties accepting something new, making Zaid’s mission tough.

This is among the reasons for Kelantan folk’s failure to accept PH.

“The Kelantanese are a bit difficult and have their own mind. They don’t easily accept anything new.

“And right now, the Kelantanese are angry with PH. So, it will not be easy for them to accept PH and DAP.”

Din said he attended the programme as he wanted to hear what Zaid was going to say.

“We attended because we want to know what Zaid is going to say. We want to know why he is defending DAP.”

The self-employed Din said he disagreed with Zaid that Kelantan is underdeveloped and that only PH can save the state.

“For me, Kelantan is developing just fine, even if it is an opposition state. I have no issues with it.”

Suhami Che Din, 53, said there’s a lot of curiosity about what Zaid is doing in Kelantan for DAP.

“Some may agree with him, others not so,” said the lorry driver.

“It will be difficult for him as most of us are still confused with PH. But I do agree with Zaid that Kelantan needs more development.” – January 20, 2020.