SEREMBAN: The DAP has expressed regret over a protest by around 50 party veterans in Negri Sembilan, who wore custom-made masks made from sanitary pads to protest the proposed nomination of an "outsider" for the senator post.
Party secretary-general Anthony Loke described the act as highly inappropriate and insensitive, noting that members can always raise concerns internally if dissatisfied with leadership decisions.
"If they are unhappy, there are internal channels for them to air their grievances. In any political party, decisions are made by the leadership after considering all aspects.
Not all decisions can satisfy everyone," he stated after handing over the Jalur Gemilang to schools in the Seremban parliamentary constituency for Merdeka Day celebrations.
Loke, who is Seremban MP, said it was improper for the protesters to resort to such a gimmick.
The protest involved members of the state DAP Veterans Club, who held a media conference on Sunday (Aug 3) to oppose the appointment of a Johorean senator for Negri Sembilan. They wore the masks to symbolise the state leadership's silence and failure to appoint a local individual.
Loke clarified that the protest involved only a few members and did not represent the entire party.
The senator post allocated for the state will become vacant as current senator A. Kesavadas Nair completes his second and final term at the end of this month.
When asked about the nomination of Vincent Wu Him Ven from Johor, Loke said the proposed name would be tabled at the state assembly sitting on Tuesday (Aug 5).
"Once decisions are made, we have to proceed with the decision," he stated without elaborating.
Loke noted that there are no legal requirements for the senator post for a particular state to be filled by an individual from the same state.
"The usual practice is that component parties in the state government recommend names. Since 2018, PKR and DAP have each been allocated one seat, and the individual can be from anywhere as long as they are a Malaysian citizen," he explained.
Nominations are automatically rejected if they do not fulfil legal provisions.
It was also reported that Wanita DAP chief Teo Nie Ching slammed the veteran's protest as being disrespectful to women.
"Using sanitary pads as tools of attack or ridicule only reinforces the shame and stigma long associated with menstruation," said Teo, who is also the Deputy Communications Minister.
Period poverty is a reality in Malaysia, said Teo, adding that some students are forced to miss school due to their inability to afford menstrual products.
“And yet, here they are wasting large quantities of sanitary pads just to mock their political rivals," she said.
