Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (fourth left) attending the DAP National Conference, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

DAP Penang Bangkok Lane Branch’s Syerleena Abdul Rashid speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Bandar Utama Branch’s Edry Faizal speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng DAP Pahang Bukit Koman Branch’s Datuk Ariff Sabri speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP hold its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (fourth left) attending the DAP National Conference, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (right) is pictured sitting next to DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng A delegate posing for a selfie with DAP member National laureate Datuk A. Samad Said at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (right) is pictured sitting next to DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad poses with DAP and Pakatan Harapan leaders at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Previous Next

SHAH ALAM, Dec 4 — DAP has a stronger Malaysian spirit than MCA, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today as he noted that the former’s party song is in the national language.

In sharing his observations after attending former political foe DAP’s conference for the first time, the former prime minister highlighted DAP’s use of Bahasa Malaysia and the opposition party’s multiracial membership.

“Previously, each time MCA has an annual general assembly, I attend. The difference is DAP that is said to be a Chinese party sings their party song in the national language.

“In MCA, it is not sung in the national language,” the former prime minister told reporters at the DAP conference here.

MCA’s party song is in Mandarin.

Dr Mahathir went on to say he was “proud” that speeches by DAP acting national chairman Tan Kok Wai and secretary-general Lim Guan Eng were both delivered in Bahasa Malaysia, unlike MCA.

“Maybe DAP’s Malaysian spirit is stronger than MCA,” he said, to loud claps from party delegates who were also present at the press conference.

He noted that non-Chinese DAP members also had leadership positions in the party, citing the late Karpal Singh who had held the post of party national chairman as an example.

“This shows DAP is not a Chinese party, it is a multiracial party. And non-Chinese members also hold high-level positions, such as Karpal Singh who held a high position and could speak in the national language.

“This is an experience for me,” he said.

He also said that his “view in the past towards DAP is incorrect”.

He later noted that Lim had in his speech earlier said that DAP will uphold the Federal Constitution, which he claimed MCA had never said.

Earlier in his speech, Lim also said DAP reaffirmed the tenets under the [email protected] Declaration — which was adopted at the end of the conference — in line with the party’s 50th anniversary this year.

The points affirmed included upholding Bahasa Malaysia’s position as the national language while encouraging the use of mother tongues, preserving the Malay and Bumiputera communities’ special position while protecting the rights of other ethnic groups, safeguarding Islam’s role as the religion of the federation, while championing freedom of practice for other religions.

Lim quizzed if the points affirmed by DAP were wrong or examples of alleged “extreme liberalism” threatening Malays and Islam, noting that the federal opposition is still branded “anti-Islam” despite doubling the allocations for Islam in Penang during its administration, when compared to Barisan Nasional’s rule.

“It is time for us to reject identity politics that divides us through the politics of communal identity that breeds hate and fear.

“DAP rejects racially-based parties and recognises the importance of working with all parties, especially Malay parties and prominent Malay personalities,” the Penang chief minister said.