11/08/2025

MONDAY | AUG 11, 2025

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Ministers honour Anwar on 78th birthday with unity gift, well wishes

DAP reps dismiss racial exclusivity claims PETALING JAYA: DAP members have dismissed accusations that the party is overly Chinese-centric, calling such claims baseless and inconsistent with its multi-racial make-up. Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said she had never felt out of place in DAP despite being a Malay-Muslim. “I’m a DAP MP and I wear my identity with pride. If DAP were a truly Chinese party, I wouldn’t be here. But I am and I’m not alone,” she told theSun. She said DAP has made a conscious effort to engage a wider cross-section of Malaysians in line with its vision to represent all communities. “The DAP of today isn’t static – it’s evolving. We’re not chasing trends, but we’re laying foundations and we see what’s possible when we work across racial and religious lines. “DAP has always had quadrilingual party literature, diversified community outreach programmes in rural and semi-urban constituencies and strengthened its presence in places once seen as ‘unreachable’. “It’s progress, but sometimes positive achievements are overshadowed by individuals or organisations who use racial or religious rhetoric whenever it suits them.” The remarks follow a recent claim by former DAP member Venosha Balachandran who said in a podcast that she left the party feeling alienated because most conversations in its WhatsApp groups were in Chinese. Venosha is the daughter of former two-term Sabai assemblyman D. Kamache who quit DAP in 2023. Shah Alam city councillor and long-time DAP member Shakir Ameer echoed Syerleena’s view, rejecting suggestions that the party marginalises non-Chinese members. “In any organisation, if the majority is Chinese, of course they would converse in a language familiar to them,” he said. Shakir, who has served with the city council for almost a decade, said such situations depend on the locality. He added that integration in any organisation requires effort. “Regardless of race, you have to make the effort to connect with others. When I first joined the party, it was slow making friends, but over time, it became easier.” Shakir said there is no racial discrimination in DAP, noting his close ties with several Chinese party leaders, including Taiping MP and Education deputy minister Wong Kah Woh and Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee Chuan How. “We’ve been friends since the 2014 Teluk Intan by-election when we campaigned for a non-Chinese candidate. If someone says non-Malays are alienated in DAP, that is simply not true.” – By IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s 78th birthday yesterday was marked by tributes from ministers who offered prayers, praise and a symbolic gift celebrating unity. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming commemorated the occasion by presenting Anwar with a specially commissioned sculpture – Rise Up Together, symbolising national unity and harmony in diversity. “It is a great honour for me to present him with this meaningful gift,” Nga said. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Setia Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar offered heartfelt prayers for Anwar’s well-being, resilience and wisdom. “Our prayers are always with Datuk Seri for strength in leading the nation and for progress of our beloved country,” he said, expressing hope for a prosperous, harmonious and competitive Malaysia Madani. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said: “Happy birthday, Boss! May the honourable prime minister and PKR president always be healthy, blessed and continue to lead the nation with wisdom.” to empower younger leaders and embrace digital outreach. “They need to upgrade, bring in young leaders who understand the current generation and make use of social media to communicate their message.” Syaza also advised MIC to remain in BN to retain negotiating power and electoral support. “I understand MIC’s frustration and MCA’s as well, but going solo would be a strategic mistake.” theSun ’s attempts to contact MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran and Saravanan were unsuccessful. Recently, Saravanan was quoted as saying MIC feels like an “unwanted guest” in the unity government and will decide its future with BN at its annual general meeting in October. “We have no role in the Cabinet, no role in any GLC (government linked company) and no role at any level “It is as if they don’t need us. Therefore, MIC will make a decision soon,” he added. modernise,

Nga presenting Anwar with a commemorative sculpture symbolising unity in a glass display to mark the prime minister’s 78th birthday. – PIC FROM NGA KOR MING FACEBOOK PAGE

MIC at crossroads, analysts warn against going it alone

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o ‘Survival of party hinges on staying within Barisan Nasional, despite waning grassroots support and loss of faith among young voters’

PETALING JAYA: The MIC is at a political crossroads, facing eroding grassroots support and a narrowing path to survival, said experts. University of Tasmania political analyst Professor James Chin said MIC is deeply tethered to the Barisan Nasional (BN) framework. “If MIC contests elections independently, I predict candidates will lose their deposits.” He said once a prominent voice for the Indian community within BN, MIC has seen its base shrink dramatically. “It is quite clear that the Indian community no longer supports MIC. The safer path for the party is to remain in BN, despite any internal frustrations.” He said the party’s prospects beyond BN are bleak. “A theoretical move to join Pakatan Harapan (PH) as a direct member exists, but I don’t believe it would be approved. “PKR and DAP already enjoy

Malaysia (IIUM) political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri agreed that MIC’s race based approach no longer resonated strongly. “It is not necessarily relevant anymore because Indian voters today are more focused on shared national concerns such as employment, economic challenges and governance.” She, however pointed out that MIC still has one advantage – its grassroots machinery. “MIC is still ahead in its ability to mobilise. They have the grassroots network. “If they can pivot their messaging towards broader economic and youth-centric issues, they could reposition themselves more effectively.” She urged the party

substantial Indian support, and they would likely object to MIC joining PH.” Chin noted that widespread disillusionment among younger Indians has fuelled MIC’s decline. “The younger generation feels MIC has failed to defend the community’s interests during its years in power. “Its current socio-economic state is, in many ways, a reflection of MIC’s shortcomings.” The party’s waning influence was laid bare in the 15th general election in which only one MIC candidate won in the Dewan Rakyat. Its deputy president Datuk M. Saravanan won the Tapah parliamentary seat for the fourth consecutive term. International Islamic University

US envoy hails move by Malaysia towards peaceful nuclear cooperation KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s move to pursue deeper nuclear cooperation with the United States (US) through the 123 Agreement (Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act) reflects its recognition of the importance of working with partners that prioritise safety and cutting-edge technology, said US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan. He said the development, announced during the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Kuala Lumpur in July, marked a positive step towards formalising peaceful nuclear collaboration through the legal framework required under US law. Malaysia represented by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the US by Rubio signed a memorandum of understanding on civil nuclear cooperation on July 10. The signing was at the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers Meetings and related meetings. Kagan said: “We will need to negotiate and it will need to

be ratified.” The 123 Agreement is an essential legal framework required by the US before any transfer of nuclear materials, technology or equipment for peaceful purposes can take place. – Bernama