DAP amid a Chinese storm

CHICKEN bones, sanitary pads and a visit to the Umno headquarters somehow came together last week like storm clouds to cause a flood of opinions in the Chinese community.

The first concerned a trio of Chinese social media influencers who took the bones from some fried chicken that they had consumed, wrapped them with some rice to give to a homeless man in what they claimed to be an act of "charity".

Public opinion exploded like a nuclear bomb. What made it worse was the arrogance and nonchalance on the part of the three teenagers for whom being outrageous meant more eyeballs on their social media. One of the trio was also known to have tried eating cat droppings and drinking water from the toilet bowl.

There is a YouTube channel called “Murder Made Me Famous”. In the case of this threesome, stupidity made them infamous.

They have been questioned by the authorities and have apologised. However, their illogical claim that they were trying to encourage charity made people even angrier.

Social media was deluged with comments questioning the cultural and moral compass of the Chinese, with people asking about the parents who brought up such creatures.

If one has to sum up the reaction from the Chinese community, it would be a boiling mix of shame, outrage and calls for the culprits to face punishment. It was an epic loss of face for the community.

The Chinese in Malaysia, especially the wealthy class, like to imagine that they hail from a history with a rich and moral culture. But the reality is that many of our ancestors were peasants fleeing war, famine and oppression in imperial China. They crossed the Nanyang or South China Sea with just the clothes on their back, although the hardship made them resilient and learn to take nothing for granted.

This shameful incident happened close on the heels of another embarrassment to the community and which some have termed the “first sanitary pad protest” in Malaysian history.

Some 50 men and women belonging to the DAP Veterans Club of Negri Sembilan, half of whom had sanitary pads over their mouths, held a protest against their party’s decision to nominate Datuk Vincent Wu Him Ven for the senator post.

They felt that Wu, who is from Muar, Johor, did not deserve the nomination that should have gone to someone from the state. Moreover, Wu, 61, had received a Datukship from Negri Sembilan not too long ago.

Wu is a political operative who has helped lay the foundation for DAP in several states. He is also utterly devoted to Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, which may explain his good fortune.

Shortly after news broke about the senatorship, two DAP branches in Pahang alleged that relatives of his were appointed to posts of councillor and village head in Jerantut.

Wu is said to be poorly educated because his family was so impoverished that he had to start working as a child. Those who know him say that this resulted in him attending only primary school, although it is unclear if he furthered his education later on.

The Negri Sembilan DAP Veterans Club chairman Lee Kong Hing, who led the protest, has offered what seemed like a half-hearted apology, saying, “Sorry lah, I apologise a bit”.

The elderly Lee said the use of sanitary pads was to symbolise that the mouths of DAP leaders have become soundproof and airtight. But for the Chinese, to place something used for the genitalia on the face was meant as the ultimate insult.

Those less familiar with DAP politics think the party is populated by well-educated people like former Damansara MP Tony Pua, Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin and former Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, who is equally fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese.

“The core of the DAP base comprises the 'hua sha', people who are Chinese-educated and traditional in thinking,” said Ooi.

For the DAP leadership, the past week has been like the saying that trouble rarely comes alone.

For instance, a congenial visit by 30 DAP MPs to the Umno headquarters for a briefing on TVET or the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme resulted in another flood of public commentary.

Umno is famous for its Malay courtesy, and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is TVET chairman, pulled out the stops and hosted dinner for his DAP guests.

The former enemies mingled like long-lost friends, and there was some sniping from the Umno crowd, who did not like seeing DAP leaders in their headquarters.

But it was the gushing tribute on Facebook by Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee about Ahmad Zahid that caused the dam to burst.

The Ipoh Timor MP fawned over Ahmad Zahid’s hosting skills to such an extent that Ooi said it was like a romantic novel. For others, a red line had been crossed.

DAP Selangor leader Datuk Teng Chang Khim took to Facebook to describe the episode as an “act of surrender” by DAP to Umno.

Actually, Teng used the Chinese term “tou chen,” which denotes something more than surrender. It means to cave in and declare loyalty to the other side.

“So many of them were interested in TVET, really? Let’s see how many of them debate it in Parliament. Did they have to go to the Umno headquarters to discuss it, and was that glowing piece necessary?

“I understand there are grey areas in politics, but when the grey becomes more than the black and white areas, we could lose sight of our principles,” said Teng.

Teng’s remarks were widely picked up by the media.

“DAP bashed Umno for 30 years, but it took only 30 months for them to become friends,” said Ooi.

Ooi, in his China Press column, referenced the famous Taiwanese novelist, Gu Long, whose stories often featured characters who were both allies and enemies.

“It’s scary when you can’t tell who is the true friend or true enemy,” said Ooi.

For decades, DAP hammered home the narrative that Umno was corrupt, racist and did not deserve support. The party was so successful at it that they are now unable to undo the hatred and distrust the Chinese have for Umno.

Will they be able to convince the Chinese that the enemy is now a friend?