DAP has changed to be more open and receptive to Umno’s cause and direction in supporting the struggle of the Malays, Umno Supreme Council member Saarani Mohamad said.

Saarani, who is also Perak Umno chairman, said the turning point for DAP began prior to the formation of the unity government, when the party agreed not to raise the issue of the special rights of the Malays, the position of Islam and the Malay language as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

The Perak menteri besar said the matter had been discussed and agreed upon by DAP and that the party leadership admitted this in the recent election campaign for the state polls.

“What has been haunting the Umno-DAP relationship all this while is that in the past (when it was established) DAP was regarded as not friendly towards the struggle and rights of the Malays.

“However, before the unity government was formed, DAP expressed its agreement to no longer bring up matters related to the rights of the Malays, Islam as the official religion and to abide by the Federal Constitution. That is enough to prove that the party has changed,” he said.

He said this in response to Umno Supreme Council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed who suggested that DAP amend its constitution to become a more moderate party to gain Malay support.

Saarani is also confident that close cooperation can be maintained between DAP and all parties in the unity government to face the next general election.

In the Pulai parliamentary by-election, Suhaizan Kaiat, representing the unity government under Pakatan Harapan, will face a three-way contest against Perikatan Nasional candidate Zulkifli Jaafar and Independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi.

The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats fell vacant following the demise of incumbent Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.

Polling day for the by-elections will be on September 9, with early voting on September 5. – Bernama, September 1, 2023.