SHAH ALAM, July 10 — DAP’s Lim Kit Siang called on progressive politicians from all parties tonight to take a stand against corruption and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) crisis.
The DAP parliamentary leader said progressive politicians should focus on issues like cost of living, wages, housing, transport and safety, instead of Shariah law, in an apparent jibe at PAS that had broken ties with the secular party over the DAP’s opposition to PAS’ renewed attempt to enforce hudud in Kelantan.
“I call for progressive MPs in Umno and BN (Barisan Nasional) to stand out [on] how we can unite to solve the problem of corruption, the Najib crisis and the 1MDB crisis,” Lim said during a DAP break-of-fast event here, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“I don’t believe there are no progressives in Umno or BN. It’s time for all politicians and youths who are willing to take part in politics and who are progressive to unite,” the Gelang Patah MP added.
The beleaguered Najib has come under further pressure to resign amid an investigation by a multi-agency task force on a Wall Street Journal report that claimed US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) from companies linked to the state-owned 1MDB had ended up in his personal bank accounts two months before the 13th general election.
Eyewitnesses said today that fewer than 10 young Malay men had protested outside the DAP event venue this evening in the Malay-majority Selangor capital city, which featured young party members including Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud and Syefura Othman, better known as Rara.
Damansara Utama assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin told Malay Mail Online that the protesters had accused the DAP of misleading people and held up a banner showing images of Dyana Sofya and Syefura with the words “Pengkhianat bangsa” (Traitors to our race).
“They’re not threatening,” Yeo said, adding that they later left the venue when the police arrived and ordered them to disperse.
The DAP, which has a predominantly Chinese membership, has been trying to project a multi-racial image and fielded Dyana Sofya in the Teluk Intan by-election last year, which she lost narrowly to Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong.
Dyana Sofya said in a speech at the buka puasa event today that she expected criticism upon joining the DAP, but took it in stride as allowing it to break her spirit would only mean that she did not “love the struggle”.
“I’m with the DAP because they fight for our country,” she said.
