00:00DAP's already fragile standing among the Malay electorate has suffered yet another
00:05blow following the debacle involving outgoing Skodai Assemblyman Marina Ibrahim, political
00:10analyst said.
00:12The Asia Group Associate Vice President Azrul Sani and James Chin of the University of
00:17Tasmania said the issue only reinforced the perception that DAP's Malay leaders and
00:22elected representatives, even popular figures like Marina, merely make up the supporting
00:28cast in the Chinese-dominated party.
00:31Azrul said the episode reinforced a long-standing challenge for DAP in convincing Malay voters
00:36and political talent that advancement within the party is based on merit, rather than symbolism
00:42or electoral considerations.
00:44He said this could affect DAP and, by extension, Pakatan Harapan in seats where Malay swing votes
00:51matter.
00:52Meanwhile, Chin said the DAP has already been painted by rivals as being anti-Malay and
00:58anti-Islam, adding that the perception of trying to push Marina out of Skodai would not help
01:03the party's cause.
01:05He said the issue could affect DAP's standing among potential Malay supporters, who may view
01:10it as reinforcing perceptions that the party marginalises Malays within its ranks, noting
01:16that Marina was among its few elected representatives.
01:20She said that this could be the true
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