YOURSAY | Dog-whistle politics - DAP blamed again

YOURSAY | ‘When you have no answer on how to solve our problems, just scream ‘DAP’.’

Wan Saiful: Anyone trying to weaken PN govt is agent of DAP, Harapan

BusinessFirst: I am really tired of this monotonous anti-DAP rhetoric (this time it’s in the form of Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan calling those wanting to weaken Perikatan Nasional [PN] agents of DAP).

It seems like in lieu of policy or ideas which is perhaps beyond these so-called elites, the lazy way is just to name call, tell lies, defame, and when all else fails, play the race and religion cards which is summed up by one word - "DAP".

It does not matter that the DAP is not the cause for 1MDB, the failures of MAS (multiple times) and other government-linked companies, Tabung Haji and Felda scandals, Mara overpriced hotels, condos for cows, people dying in prison/remand or falling out of windows when they are interviewed by the MACC.

It does not matter that DAP is not the cause of foreign leaders ‘donating’ hundreds of millions to political leaders, corruption, abuse of power, threats to the rule of law, double standards between elites and normal people, jumping political leaders with no ideals except to climb materially or politically undermining the democratic choice.

It does not matter that the party also is not the cause of potholes on streets, poor health and educational infrastructure, especially in East Malaysia, having to climb trees and telephone poles or hike up hills for Internet connection, declining educational standards where some of our fresh graduates earn much less than the elderly in Singapore who work as part-time cleaners, poverty in the country, unemployment, declining foreign investment, brain drain, growing religious extremism and erosion of our Malaysian culture and heritage with something alien from Arabia, etc.

When you have no answer on how to solve the above, just scream "DAP".

The sad thing is, just like when it comes to drugs, logic tells you it is not good for you, yet there are still dealers. Why? Because there are consumers. I suppose we will continue to hear this drivel in lieu of serious discussions so long as this cry still resonates with some part of the electorate.

I know people say you deserve the government you get. Hence, we see the decline in Malaysia relative to so many countries. Initially, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. Now we see Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia surpassing us too.

As a Malaysian, how can you from the bottom of your heart not feel despair and be heartbroken?

Iphonezours: Wan Saiful, what has become of you? At one time you were well regarded for your views when you were in the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) think tank.

Now you have stooped so low to utter such nonsense - that anyone who is weakening the PN government is an agent of DAP and Pakatan Harapan?

The answer to PN’s weakness lies within PN, with all its infighting, power-grabbing, and backstabbing between Bersatu and Umno, to the extent that the coalition is a lot more chaotic compared to when Harapan was in power.

If only Bersatu had the foresight to remain in Harapan rather than betraying the people’s mandate, you would not be in such a mess.

Wan Saiful, whatever you say, Bersatu will be answerable to the electorate come the 15th general election (GE15).

IndigoKite6964: "The division of Malay votes will result in political instability that will make it even more difficult to protect the welfare of people of all races and religions," said Wan Saiful.

This is non-sequitur, illogical, and utter bunkum. Firstly, how can the division of Malay votes result in political instability? Unless it is about kicking them out of power.

Secondly, DAP, Harapan, and all others don't have to lift a finger (against Malay-based parties). They will engineer their own downfall.

Lastly, I don't think they are the least interested in the welfare of the non-Malays when they can't even manage the welfare of the Malays. The only welfare they are interested in is their own welfare.

Milshah: Wan Saiful is probably referring to the previous GE14 results, where three-cornered fights between Umno, PAS, and Harapan led to Harapan winning due to the split in Umno-PAS votes. So, what he meant is this PN vs BN rivalry will only benefit Harapan, thus the "agent of Harapan" claim.

PN's biggest win was getting PAS on its side. Thus, creating another Umno vs PAS vs Harapan three-cornered fight like the last polls.

But we must also remember, even though Umno was defeated in the last general election, it got the most seats among all the parties in Parliament, at 50-plus, before Umno MPs jumped to Bersatu.

Bersatu, on the other hand, won the least seats in Harapan. Meaning, a three-cornered fight will hit Bersatu more than Umno. Further, if Malay voters who voted for Harapan the last time shift their votes back to Umno, Umno will not need PAS votes.

So, Harapan will have to work hard to retain these Malay votes. But Harapan under opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim can't do so without upsetting their core supporters.

All in all, I'm expecting a shift of Malays back to Umno, and it will be like the BN era. We are back to square one. This is how it has been for 60 years, and this is how it will continue to be in the foreseeable future.

Limfly: Why is it that when someone flips over to the other side, he starts demonising DAP and accusing it of being the chief perpetrator of Malay-Muslim disunity?

Why do they keep on scraping the bottom of the barrel to find something to hit out at DAP? Is there nothing else that they can find wrong with DAP - like its policies - to use as ammunition against the party?

Well, maybe there isn't, and that is why they have to keep on rehashing the same tired issue of race and religion. What a pathetic lot.

I used to think that Wan Saiful was someone who was thoughtful and sensible. What a disappointment.

Hmmm: You know that Umno’s threats to pull out are real when PN starts to panic and sound the 3Rs (race, religion and royalty) call to unity.

As an added bonus, they hint to Umno that they will be seen as agents of DAP if they try to destabilise PN.

Umno has eaten more salt than you have eaten rice. They are not going to fall for such tricks. Now that you have exposed your vulnerability, Umno will most likely go for the jugular.

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