DAP Youth leader Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud tears up Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Razlan Rafii's list of evidence of DAP disrespecting the Malays.
"I am called to respond to Razlan’s rebuttal statement dated Aug 31, 2016 in which he listed out 'evidence' of DAP disrespecting the Malays," she said in a press statement today.
Citing the 2014 Oktoberfest attended by DAP leaders as mentioned by Razlan, Dyana said government ministers should stop attending diplomatic functions if the latter's theory stood.
"Oktoberfest is now an international event celebrated throughout the world and is not merely about drinking alcohol, as Razlan wants to imply.
"The particular Oktoberfest celebration attended by DAP MPs was not organised by DAP and those who attended did so in response to an invitation," she added.
"Is Razlan suggesting that politicians should not attend events simply because there is alcohol served? In that case, government ministers should stop attending diplomatic functions as well.
"To suggest that Malays are easily offended by what other people eat or drink would be to insult the intelligence of the majority of Malays. Just because Razlan himself may have such narrow-minded views, he should not assume everyone else to be as shallow," she said.
Dyana also reminded Razlan (photo) about Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin referring the party members as lackeys (macai) and BN Langkawi MP Nawawi Ahmad stating that the 'Malaysian Official 1' mentioned in the US Department of Justice lawsuits was the Agong.
"I wonder if Razlan is aware that it is Umno which believes it is okay to refer to its members who are all Malays as macai. In DAP everyone is treated as equal, while Umno views people as lackeys.
"It is Umno which has consistently insulted the Malays by using fear to disempower the Malays for their own political gain.
"As an Umno Youth grassroots leader, I am not surprised that Razlan has a distorted idea of what constitutes an insult to Malays," she said.
Razlan should understand that Malays crave to be free from a political party that deigns to represent them but in fact cheats them, Dyana added.
"Unfortunately, when any Malay dares to stand up against Umno, they are immediately warned that their entire race would be 'destroyed' if Umno loses power."
'Opposing bill doesn't mean opposing Islam'
On DAP's opposition to Act 355 which could pave the way for the implementation of hudud, Dyana asked why it is not disrespectful when BN allies such as Gerakan, MCA and MIC criticise it.
"Opposing the hudud bill does not mean opposing Islam. How can that be the case when lawmakers are merely exercising their duties to debate every law that is tabled, especially when they have far-reaching consequences?" she said.
Dyana also defended Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming's twitter greetings, which used the phrases "In God we trust" and "Lord, guide our nation to you".
"Just because these prayers are written in English do not automatically make them Christian prayers.
"But even so, that in no way justifies Razlan’s actions in organising a violent demonstration at the DAP headquarters. As far as I know, we have not received any apology for the ruckus caused although police reports have been made," she said.
Razlan’s ignorance about the Malaysian electoral system is very worrying, Dyana noted.
"In case he does not know, Teluk Intan is a parliamentary seat. Hence I fail to understand how contesting in Teluk Intan would enable anyone to become a menteri besar candidate in Perak."
Razlan had alleged that DAP lobbied for the Perak menteri besar post, and was forced to recruit Malays like Dyana when it realised only a Malay can hold the post.
Dyana went into the ethnic composition of Selangor city councils, which are made up of about 60 percent Malay councillors, despite them representing only 53 percent of the state's population.
"Penang city councils proportionately represent the population of Penang by ethnicity," she rebutted.
"Based on Razlan’s statements and actions, it would appear that he thinks Malays are lackeys who are easily insulted and have popiah paper-thin tolerance on ethnic and cultural differences. I won’t be surprised because he probably was trained to be a macai chief, just how his party wants him to be."
Dyana urged Razlan to reconsider his views and apologise to all Malaysians, especially Malays for underestimating their intelligence, and if he fails to do so, then he does not deserve to be called a “youth leader”.
"Finally, I would like to invite Razlan to 'like' and 'follow' the Roketkini page on Facebook so that he can keep himself up-to-date with our party’s initiatives which cross race, gender and class boundaries," she said.
