KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) today accused the opposition party DAP of using nubile Malay members to front a stealthy ruse to advance an anti-Malay, anti-Islam agenda.

According to its vice-president Abdul Rahman Mat Dali, the party is using young Malay women in a ploy at once “cunning, naughty and disgusting.” 

“There are no Malays in DAP’s leadership, but suddenly they are highlighting Malay girls whom they label as ‘pretty’. It is as if there are no more Chinese girls in the party worth highlighting,” Abdul Rahman told Isma’s website.

“That is how much DAP is trying to manipulate the youths. I say it is a very disgusting tactic.”

He singled out DAP’s Teluk Intan by-election candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud and another recent recruit, Syefura Othman, as ignorant of the history of Malays and Islam in Tanah Melayu, and of  a “social contract”.

“If they understand those, surely they would not have joined and fought in DAP,” he claimed.

“If the Malay girls understand DAP’s ideology and struggle, they would not bear to see the erosion of their own race and Islam by parties such as DAP.”

Abdul Rahman also slammed Syefura for calling DAP “cool” and open in a recent interview with Malay daily Sinar Harian.

“These girls will most likely be paraded here and there by DAP leaders to promote itself as Malay and Islam-friendly,” alleged Abdul Rahman.

“Actually, that is a sign of the dilution and erosion of identity among some of Malay youths nowadays.”

Lawyer Dyana, 26, joined DAP as the political secretary to Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang.

She was picked to contest the Teluk Intan by-election in May, but lost to Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong by 238 votes.

Syefura, 25, is a more recent recruit, joining during a DAP breaking fast ceremony.

The two have since received media attention as symbols of the party’s push to gain relevance with the Malay community.