DAP has never opposed the New Economic Policy (NEP), only the deviations in its implementation that led to widespread abuse by elites and cronies from all races, said its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
“DAP was never opposed to policies, including the NEP, which was meant to help the poor Malays and give them equal opportunity. However, DAP strongly opposes the dual identification of race with wealth and race with poverty.
“Since the majority of the poor are Malays or bumiputera from Sabah and Sarawak, they will still be the biggest beneficiaries.
“To state that all Malays are poor or all Chinese are rich is simplistic and misleading at best and at worst, divisive and extreme,” he said in a statement today rebutting Dr Mahathir’s latest remarks on the party.
In an interview with Malaysiakini, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said that though DAP was “more open” now, there are those who still made hurtful comments about the Malays, such as going against the NEP and the provision of special privileges for the Malays and bumiputera.
He added that DAP’s demand that assistance be given based on merit would keep the Malays poor and unable to secure scholarships to study.
Lim said that while the party does not oppose the NEP, it did not agree with the deviations in the implementation of the policy, which has led to widespread abuse by elites and cronies from all races.
“The hundreds of billions of ringgit spent could not lift Malaysians out of the poverty trap due to such wrongdoings.”
He said DAP ministers in the Pakatan Harapan government had also fought hard for the expansion of incentives to lift productivity, create jobs and transition to the digital economy.
In the same interview, Dr Mahathir had also described certain DAP members such as Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy and DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew as “very extreme and not willing to accommodate”.
DAP refuted these allegations, calling it wrong, baseless and misguided, as it has never been race-centric or religious-based. It said the party was passionate about representing and working for all Malaysians regardless of race or religion.
“DAP leaders have gone to prison seeking justice for Malays. History has proven that DAP members are mature and would reject any leaders who depart from the multiracial and multi-religious framework or attempt to change the diverse culture of the DAP.” – TMI
Related report: Apr 17, Mahathir clarifies his “DAP sometimes extreme” remarks