HULU SELANGOR: Despite the negative narratives surrounding DAP being a party that does not prioritise the interests of the Malays, party leaders today reiterated that the component party of Pakatan Harapan (PH) is open to all Malaysians.

This, its Selangor chairman Gobind Singh Deo said, was demonstrated by the enrolment of new members from the Malay community for its Malay DAP branch in Hulu Selangor.

DAP earlier received another 50 new members from the Malay community in Kuala Kubu Baharu for its Malay DAP branch located in Jalan Kemboja.

This is the third branch in Hulu Selangor which is being overseen by the Malay community in the constituency, with the other two located in Jalan Ara and Bukit Beruntung with 50 members and 51 members, respectively.

Malay DAP also comprised members aged between 21 and 30.

Gobind said the performance and services rendered by the late Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong has had an effect on bringing in many people to join DAP.

"(With the new enrolment) it further demonstrates that DAP is a party that is open to all layers of society.

"What's more important is that (with the enrolment of new Malay members), we also want all to have the opportunity to be involved in politics," Gobind said at an event of the enrolment of new Malay party members, here today.

Present were the DAP candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election Pang Sock Tao, DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok and DAP central executive committee member Young Syefura Othman.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election would see a four-corner battle between Pakatan Harapan's Pang Sock Tao, Perikatan Nasional's Khairul Azhari Saut, Hafizah Zainudin from Parti Rakyat Malaysia and Nyau Ke Xin who is an independent candidate.

The by-election was triggered by the death of three-term assemblyman Lee, who had been battling cancer for a few years.

At the same time, Kok said the establishment of the Malay DAP branch was not a political gimmick to cause chaos for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

She said the establishment of the branch in Jalan Kemboja was planned a year ago and was further contributed by the momentum the party gained in the by-election.

"I am very pleased because I have been heavily involved in the establishment of this new branch, and I am proud to see a 21-year-old making the decision to join DAP.

"This is not a by-election gimmick as efforts have been made to establish the new branch six months ago, including meeting the requirement of having 50 members, conducting dialogue sessions, and political workshops before registering the branch.

"Hence, I hope that they (the branch members) will play a role in helping to educate the community about DAP, which is a party for all, including the Malay community," she said.

Meanwhile, the Jalan Kemboja Malay DAP branch chairman Muhammad Dzulfiqri Md Daud, 21, when met said he felt attracted to join the party as it prioritises the empowerment of youth.

"We have joined other parties, but unlike DAP, youth (development) are often neglected and ignored.

"However, DAP openly welcomed us with enthusiasm and they provided us the opportunities to participate in programmes to assist the people and place great importance on the youth.

"They also elevate the voices of the young people and emphasise issues concerning both the youth and people," said the final year student of Agricultural Diploma.

Muhammad Dzulfiqri also hoped that with the new enrolment of Malay DAP, the unity government candidate for the by-election could win and retain the state seat to bring the voices of locals to the forefront.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/04/1043742/kkb-polls-dap-emphasises-inclusivity-amid-negative-narratives-say