DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said the Low Yat mob incident, which threatened to turn into race riots, was a reminder for the party to step up its efforts to recruit more Malays.
"It is a reminder that DAP must redouble our energies and efforts to ensure that more Malays and Muslims join our ranks so that together with non-Malay and non-Muslim Malaysians, DAP becomes a more effective and representative vehicle," he added in a statement today.
A more representative DAP, he said, together with like-minded political parties, can save Malaysia from sliding into a failed state due to racial extremism, religious intolerance, corruption, injustices and the collapse of good governance.
Lim also criticised Perak DAP for straying from the party's multiracial objective.
He pointed out in the 1974 general election, one third of the 33 state assembly candidates put up by DAP were Malays and in 1978, 25 out of 38 candidates were Malays.
"In the past few polls, Perak DAP strayed from this multiracial objective of ensuring that we not only presented a multiracial slate of candidates but elected a multiracial slate of state assemblypersons in the Perak state legislature.
"(This) is a serious political error which is a challenge to Perak DAP to strive to correct and overcome in the shortest possible time as DAP must never lose sight of our larger multiracial objective," he added.
Lim said DAP already had its first Kadazan state assemblyperson in Sabah in the last general election and looked forward to its first Dayak state assemblyperson in the upcoming Sarawak state election.
On Indian and Chinese representatives, Lim said their numbers in Parliament from DAP have already exceeded MIC and MCA but DAP is neither a Chinese nor Indian party.
"Whatever our ups and downs in the political waters of Malaysia, the DAP leadership, membership and supporters must always remain true and loyal to our national objective to be a Malaysian party for all Malaysians.
"This is why DAP, particularly in Perak, must redouble our efforts to welcome into our ranks like-minded Malays and Muslims in pursuit of the cause of an united, harmonious, inclusive, progressive, just and prosperous Malaysia," he said.
As for the ruling coalition, Lim said the Low Yat incident was reflective of how race relations in Malaysia had become brittle and fragile under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"The prime minister should institute an inquiry as to why his 1Malaysia signature policy is such a dismal failure, including why government agencies like the National Civic Bureau are contributing to greater national divisions instead of promoting national unity," said Lim.
He added that law enforcement agencies must improve their standards in nipping racist and anti-nationalist elements in the bud while other organisations must practice inclusivity and Malaysian-centric policies.
Related reports
Mall brawl: Auxiliary cop, handphone traders arrested
Minister: Social media causes more harm than good
Asri: Racial elements fanned Low Yat fracas
Low Yat fracas: Sedition Act jab for Ali Tinju
Zahid vows colour blind justice for rumpus
Low Yat brawler 'shocked' over aftermath
'Brawls reminder for DAP to recruit more Malays'
It’s back to normal at Low Yat Plaza
Stick as one 'Bangsa M'sia', says prince
Hunt is on for Low Yat provocateurs, says IGP
‘Let’s us all not react to racial provocation’
Man accused of stealing in Low Yat to be charged
