By S Pathmawathy | May 24, 11
Malaysiakini
In an attempt to bolster its image as an all inclusive party and shed its Chinese-centric tag, DAP launched its Malay-language web-portal, Roketkini, today.
The portal, which focuses on daily news and analysis, is particularly aimed at drawing support from the Malay electorate, often described as being antagonistic toward the DAP.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (right), who is also the party’s secretary-general, officially launched the portal and announced that Wan Hamidi Hamid will operate the portal as its editor.
Lim told reporters that Roketkini would serve as a platform to convey and rectify issues that have been exploited by the opposition Umno to undermine DAP’s image.
“The BN media has successfully manipulated a false perception that DAP is anti-Malay. We accept that they have succeeded… so we are making an effort to rectify the perspective.
“This is an effort to prove that DAP’s struggles are for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion,” said Lim.
PKR, PAS organs to help out
Roketkini will serve as an alternative to DAP’s monthly publication the Rocket and focus on promoting polices of the Pakatan Rakyat government as well as counter reports in the BN-controlled mainstream news media.
It will also be assisted by PKR’s Suara Keadilan and the Harakah Daily of PAS, which has been operating an online news portal for a while now.
Lim said since the opposition managed to wrest power in five states after the 2008 general election, BN has been mounting attacks that the DAP, in particular, is anti-Malay, a community that makes up 50.4 percent of the population.
Even DAP vice-chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim has commented that the party had failed to attract Malay support, despite the appointment of Zairil Khir Johari, son of Umno stalwart Mohd Khir Johari.
BN’s Umno has of late heightened its offensive against the opposition after word that DAP planned to name Malay candidates in several states in the next general election got out.
According to news reports, DAP is in the midst of identifying suitable Malay candidates to contest seats in Perak, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan.
Umno-linked Utusan Malaysia reported that DAP is focussing its efforts to regain Perak, which BN took back after a coup that toppled the Pakatan Rakyat government, by naming more Malay candidates to widen its chances of winning and naming one of its own as menteri besar.
DAP plans direct engagement
Asked whether the party was targeting to improve on its Malay membership, Lim said this was an ongoing effort and that there were plans to engage with the community directly.
It was also not fair for DAP to rely on PKR and PAS to continuously strengthen the coalition’s base.
“Direct human engagement is the best way. What we want to do is to create hardcore ground support,” said Lim but added that this also required substantial funds.
DAP leaders were recently dragged into a controversy in which they were accused of linking up with Christian leaders to make Christianity the official religion of the federation and to instal a Christian as prime minister.
Lim said the negative image severely impacted the Penang government’s efforts to promote pro-Malay policies.
“It has come to a stage where even the media does not know what we have done for the Malays in Penang… they (the BN) may not have had success in implementing their policies, but they have succeeded in creating this perception against us,” he said.
Roketkini, which is already up and running, is managed by a three-man crew that includes Wan Hamidi (above, right) and Zairil.
#1 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 24 May 2011 - 3:07 pm
Got discount/reward aah 4 UmnoB n Perkosa members 2 hop into Roket?
How abt d Can-or-not space tourist, can he join Roket or not?
Anyway, goody, goody, hope more like-minded Malays join Roket 2 make DAP truly a political party 4 all M’sians: GOOD LUCK
#2 by wanderer on Tuesday, 24 May 2011 - 3:56 pm
The mindset of most rural Malay folks were so stuffed with UMNO dang that at most, may only prick their conscience. The targets should be first time voters and overseas students. The fresh minds are more acceptable to multi racial parties and progressive ideas.
#3 by bush on Tuesday, 24 May 2011 - 4:27 pm
Good move but “Need to concentrate” more on rural area due to lack of affordable internet.
I feel that DAP should distribute free fortnightly “news letter” to all the kampong residence areas from now (with Chinese, Tamil and Malay language) and emphasize on the following contents (questions on 5W – Why, What, How, When, Who):-
1) Why need to change – Highlight all the wealthy cronies like Ex Menteri Besar Selangor (Khir), Taib..Etc on how they are able to be so rich and process all the wealth own by the rakyat. We should tell the true to inform all the rural folk on what the NEP mean for BN. Unlike other, they just accuse and put the blame to other without fact. This is the most effective way to win vote if they are aware of their money being stolen by the Bn.
2) What you have achieve (Proven track record) – Tell them the achievement made on Penang and Selangor as compared to the previous G. This must come with some monetary value of saving or increase revenue by the new G and also token paid to “Rakyat”.
3) How to do it – What can be done if capture Putrajaya. Provide the details and monetary value of saving for “rakyat”. (free internet = RM 90.00 per month, petrol down to 1.50 per liter and this works out to be RM 200 per months, water bill…, TNB….etc).
4) When can you fulfill the promise if capture Putra jaya?
5) Who to take the lead. Must spell out clearly for them to vote the opposition. An opposition Muslim (Anwar/Hadi/Azmin…) is unavoidable.
Utusan M is the tool by Bn to spread the news and PR need to have the effective way to convey the message too.
Must go all out to win the “RURAL VOTE”. The urban vote is guarantee on majority.