The bold fielding of a Malay woman candidate by Democratic Action Party (DAP), though a political novice - muddled not only BN/Umno top leadership, but all levels in Umno and it's allies in BN coalition party.
Perhaps, Dyana Sofya's readiness to contest under DAP (Pakatan Rakyat's) ticket was less than expected or not at all expected by BN/Umno. A Malay political infant at national level from a known family of Umno went against the tide by representing a party which BN/Umno all along labeled, a chauvinistic party. LINK
Some said the fielding of Dyana Sofya (a Malay) in a predominantly-Chinese constituent as an experiment by the DAP to gauge voters' acceptance in-line with it's new political approach of getting away with race-based politics, but many agreed that DAP was seen serious and committed in promoting this new politics which surpasses the race barrier.
Some opined Dyana Sofya's race (a Malay), contributed to DAP loosing the support of the Chinese voters and they felt that the Malays were less than keen to vote for her as she holds the flag many Malays see it as a Chinese-chauvinist party.
Are voters of Teluk Intan not ready with new politics that DAP promotes?.
It's the norm that people are often uncomfortable to changes (DAP's multi-racial approach), but what's important is the willingness on the part of the DAP to introduce and implement it without fearing of loosing the seat it secured in the 13th general election (GE13).
Afterall, "Rome wasn't built in one day" and "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Many from Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) camps were quick to blame some Teluk Intan voters for reversing the choice they made in GE13.
Personally, I disagreed to such critics. Why must they be blamed?. They have exercised their rights. They had spoken. It's their right to speak through the ballot box. Like it or not, we need to respect their choice if we truly talk of upholding democratic principles. That's what democracy is all about.
As I have written earlier, by-elections cannot be used as a yardstick in gauging strength, as opposition (PR) is always at the disadvantage over BN - the ruling party. Thus, the tissue-thin margin loss by PR is not a bad achievement at all.
For PR, particularly DAP - to conduct a 'postmortem' or reassessing it's loss is fine, but to start doubting whether it was right or wrong in fielding Dyana Sofya, a young Malay professional in a predominantly-Chinese area should not arise at all as it was DAP's pre-determined objective to distance itself from race-based politics.
I am sure, top leaders in DAP were aware of the fact that not all it's members endorsed or accepted it's CEC's decision in selecting Dyana as candidate for Teluk Intan, but how could the party pleases every members?.
If the 543 spoil votes is an indication of members' protest votes, I would say the objection is at an acceptable level - most importantly, majority have accepted. Take note, 41, 000 voters cast their vote.
What DAP should do is to allow Dyana spend more time with Teluk Intan voters until GE14 as I like to believe her short introduction to the voters there is one of the factors that has contributed to her loss.
To DAP and all it's members, let's take the loss as a price for convincing the people that they are serious and committed towards the cause of a multiracial society. The bigger agenda is of course, to see a society consisting of Malaysians truly committed to a government that uphold principles of rule of law - and not rule of the jungle, quoting one of Anwar Ibrahim's 'reformasi' speeches.
By fielding Dyana in Teluk Intan, DAP has proven of it's seriousness and commitment and there alone it has won adherence. DAP has taken the necessary steps in convincing the Malays that it is not a Chinese chauvinistic party.
So much has been said and written about Teluk Intan by-election, be it in the mainstream media (MSM) or the alternative medias including the social networks.
Those inclined to BN/Umno have had the liberty in choosing words and phrases that is seen would enhance or boost BN's supremacy and dominance while those aligned to PR tried hard to rebut or finding justifications to it's loss in Teluk Intan.
What I wish to highlight here is politics of hatred, threat and fear. Will Teluk Intan by-election be the last of such politics in Malaysia?.
BN leaders were fast in issuing statements that BN's victory in Teluk Intan was a clear sign that the people rejected the politics of hatred played up by the opposition all this time. Abdul Rahman Dahlan's statement came as no surprise to me. This MP for Kota Belud had been vocal on almost all issues but stop short on being vocal on the real issues that matters. LINK
Majority Malaysians are aware which party practiced racist and hate politics in the country. Many could easily refresh how former premier Dr Mahathir, Umno leaders and Utusan Malaysia launched an onslaught against the Chinese prior to the election.
These leaders conveniently tag the Chinese as anti-Malay when in actual fact they are anti-Umno. How in the world could anti-Umno and anti_Malay be the same?. Umno is only a political party with majority of it's members are Malays other than the Bumiputras.
What about Chinese voters who had voted Malay candidates from PAS and PKR?.
Post GE13, remember "What do the Chinese Want?".
Remember who said Malaysians who are unhappy with the country's political system should leave the country?.
Do we find difficulty to identify cabinet ministers who continue to beat the drum on politics of hatred and revenge?.
Am I wrong to say that most of these provocative and irresponsible utterances were seen as being targeted to the Chinese community?.
Thus, can I conveniently say that Chinese patience and passion towards Umno has really run out?. Can I also say that the sense of betrayal by race-based Chinese parties in BN coalition such as MCA and Gerakan has reached the maximum level?.
I dare to say, if Umno and BN continue or seen condoning racist and hate politics - let alone reforms in education policies, employment in civil service and GLCs which include promotion, issuance of licences and permits other than reforms to eradicate corruption etc - Chinese votes will not, I repeat - will not be returning to them.
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