YOURSAY | ‘Slow and steady will win the race.’

COMMENT | How low profile will DAP go?

FellowMalaysian: I can’t blame Seputeh MP Teresa Kok or her party, DAP, for keeping a “low profile” in the recent Sungai Bakap polls.

Kok was telling the truth about the dilemma they had to endure within the coalition.

It may not be a struggle between the devil and the deep blue sea, but they have been asked to stay away from campaigning, especially in the Malay heartlands.

DAP could have easily sent more top leaders to shore up PKR's contest, especially from Klang Valley, but we noticed only its Penang branch did a lot of work, especially Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who must be credited for his relentless visits during the two-week campaign period.

However, the non-Malays stayed away this time not because of DAP's feeble support.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli must learn to accept that voters have a mind of their own and going around looking for a scapegoat for the loss will not help PKR in any way.

Sulking will only make you look cheap.

Milshah: There is a strong debate about which direction DAP should take. Historically, DAP made its name and support by championing "Malaysian Malaysia", "equality" and "meritocracy".

This resonates well with the non-Malays, especially the Chinese. Even if you look at Malaysiakini’s comments section, you will find these ideals. This is what non-Malays want.

When DAP was in the opposition, it made sense for it to adopt this. It has no accountability. It can promise the moon and the stars.

Back then, DAP had no power and could not say anything. However, as so many times have been said, politics is a numbers game. You got the numbers, you win. Majority rules. It is as simple as that.

So the question is, while the ideals of "Malaysian Malaysia", "equality" and "meritocracy" are nice to hear, do they have the numbers or enough support to make it happen?

DAP has been championed for the past 60 years and lost in every election. The numbers don't add up.

The most DAP could get is 50 seats out of the 222 seats, not even a simple majority.

So, DAP had to make alliances with the likes of PKR, Amanah and recently Umno, which is part of the unity government.

These parties, especially Umno, do not share DAP ideals. So when the DAP came to power and became part of the government, it had to tone down its ideals, and this is why DAP's core supporters, especially the Chinese, are angry.

They hold to DAP for the promises of ideals. They don't care about the maximum 50 seats, about not having the numbers, about the limitation of DAP.

All they care about is you become the government, now do what you promised. This is where the issue lies. DAP promised a lot to their supporters, but it is just not doable as this is not a DAP government.

Now DAP is being seen as MCA 2.0, but what to do?

Mat M Din: It is a blessing for PKR, DAP and Umno to be able to successfully cobble together to form a unity government deemed to be multi-racial.

Malaysia earnestly needs a multi-racial government where the Malays, Chinese and Indians can combine and work together to develop the country.

Without the cooperation of the three ethnic groups to work together in unison, Malaysia would not be able to raise the level of its development to the highest possible level.

Therefore, it needs the wholehearted support of all Malaysians to ensure that the unity government can sustain and last forever to fulfil its objectives.

If it is not strongly supported, the unity government will collapse, and it will be the end of the existence of a multi-racial government.

As the Malays are the dominant race in Malaysia, the government has to project that to attract strong Malay support to remain in power.

PKR is working very hard to woo Malay voters and has to employ the 3Rs strategy to gain strong Malay support.

DAP’s strategy to remain low-key and to support PKR in its fight to garner Malay support is a good move.

The non-Malays should be patient and remain vigilant. If the government remains in power, it will have the authority to slowly look after everyone’s interests.

Slow and steady will win the race. If the present government were to collapse, Malaysia would revert to a non-multi-racial government, causing uneasiness and disunity.

IndigoHamster4797: I disagree with columnist S Thayaparan and many commenters on this topic. It is easy for us keyboard warriors and writers to pour scorn on DAP.

After decades of vilifying the MCA, the DAP now realised that once in power, one has to be pragmatic.

DAP is the champion of the Chinese. They need to be in the government to ensure Chinese matters get the attention they need.

Give them some time - Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), and university quotas, all will be resolved.

MS: PKR knows full well that its self-serving association with the DAP does not win it any points amongst the Malays.

It recognises the fact it is a clear disadvantage when it comes to straight fights for the Malay vote.

And that proves once again how racially segregated the country is despite the thin veneer of "tolerance" the country has held up as a virtue over the decades.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.