Defend govt against proponents of extremism - Guan Eng

Defend govt against proponents of extremism - Guan Eng

Published: Sep 22, 2024 3:10 PM


DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng urged party members to defend the coalition government against those who advocate extremist policies to seize power.

“They have no economic solutions beyond printing money. They only know how to impose bans, singling out women.

“Even non-Muslim female singers are not allowed to perform on stage or participate in certain sports,” he said in a speech at the Penang DAP convention held at the Spice Arena today.

While he did not mention names, Lim (above) appeared to be targeting PAS.

On Aug 5, Terengganu state executive councillor in charge of the local council Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah defended the Kuala Terengganu City Council’s decision to ban female performers from performing at the Guan Di Temple during a celebration held from July 29 to Aug 2.

According to Wan Sukairi, an exemption can be given on the ban on women performing before a male audience if the audience is non-Muslim.

However, in the case of the Guan Di temple, he said the performance was held in a space that was accessible to all.

The decision courted brickbats from several politicians, including Lim and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

The PAS-led state also courted controversy after another state exco demanded answers from the state sports council the Terengganu Amateur Swim Association (Tasa) after two of its female divers competed in the Malaysia Games despite a directive issued against it.

Tasa has since apologised for it while the Youth and Sports Ministry has taken the divers under its wing.


Listen to the rakyat

Lim, a former finance minister, urged DAP members to always listen to the people and work hard to provide them with a better life.

He also reminded them that while winning power is hard, retaining it is even harder - which is why politicians must always go back to the basics.

“Always listen to the rakyat, do the rakyat’s work and give hope to the rakyat for a better future. They want a better life, in (terms) economic livelihood, education, employment opportunities, healthcare and digital services.

“But many ask me, how do we achieve that when we are in the government and come face to face with policies unpopular with our base of supporters?”

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok


As such, Lim urged party members to engage the government first but if such opportunity does not arise, then one can choose to voice out matters publicly.

“For instance, our DAP national vice-chairperson Kok has chosen to voice out publicly and she has obtained full support from the party leadership for expressing her views,” he added.


Speaking out

On Sept 8, Kok voiced her reservations over a government’s proposal to mandate halal certification for restaurants and businesses not serving pork or alcohol, which prompted backlash from Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

The Umno leader called Kok “Nyonya Tua” (old Nyonya) and remarked that he would urge the government to prepare a non-halal logo to put on Kok’s forehead.

Kok has since filed a legal action against Akmal.