Newly minted Penang DAP chairperson Steven Sim believes he can serve as a “bridge” that connects the Malay community, who remain sceptical about the party’s agenda due to its political rivals claiming it poses a threat to the race and Islam.

The human resources minister cited his proficiency in Bahasa Melayu as an advantage, which earned him the trust of the Malay community.

“They (Malay community) know that I am not extreme,” he told the Penang-based Chinese newspaper Kwong Wah Yit Poh.