(Johor, 29th) – DAP National Deputy Chairman Nga Kor Ming stated that he will propose to the Prime Minister at the upcoming Cabinet meeting that July 10th and 11th be designated as national toll-free days on highways, to encourage Johor voters from across the country to return home and vote.
Nga, who is also the Minister of Housing and Local Government, emphasized that racial politics and religious politics do not suit Malaysia's multi-ethnic society. What the country needs is for political parties to compete on achievements and policies, not to manipulate racial and religious issues.
He said Malaysian politics is at a crucial turning point. Malaysia is a plural society where people of all races should unite and help one another to build the nation together. However, the political scene is currently turbulent, especially with recent developments—longtime rivals UMNO and PAS are now not only collaborating secretly but have also begun open cooperation.
He stated that Malaysia has gone through transitions of power and changes in government, but now there is a concerning trend of “backsliding.”
Speaking at the DAP’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Banquet themed “Safeguarding Bercham, Upholding Hope” in Ipoh on Sunday night, he also said that Malaysia will celebrate its 70th year of independence in 2027. Whether the country continues to move forward or regresses is a question the people must ponder.
Nga believes there are currently two major forces in Malaysian politics: one is UMNO's resurgence of racial supremacy, perpetuating racial politics; the other is PAS, which sells religion and hijacks ethnicity.
He said neither racial nor religious politics fit Malaysia, a multi-ethnic society where the country has never belonged to a single race, but to Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Dusuns, and Dayaks. Thus, one side peddling race and the other hijacking religion are parties whose thinking is bankrupt and out of touch with the times.
He argued that 21st-century politics should focus on achievements, policies, performance, and benefiting the people, rather than persistently stoking racial sentiments. He emphasized that diversity, democracy, and inclusiveness must become the mainstream of Malaysian politics, because only a multi-ethnic political party can formulate policies with a national mindset and a nation-building mentality to lead the country to prosperity and strength.
In addition, Nga pointed out that Johor was originally expected to see a tripartite contest among Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, and Barisan Nasional, but with recent developments, PAS is openly calling for support for UMNO in constituencies it does not contest, making the collaboration between the two parties even more apparent, which could lead to a return to UMNO's racial dominance in Johor. He therefore called on the Chinese community nationwide to remain vigilant against crisis, prepare for the worst, and mobilize to support Pakatan Harapan to defend the democratic system.
He added that UMNO has already passed a constitutional amendment in Johor, allowing the appointment of state assemblymen with reserved seats for PAS and MCA, so even losing candidates can still enter the state assembly through appointment. He described this as, even if you can't enter through the front door, you can still go in through the back, and stressed that this constitutional amendment has already been passed.
“Once state assemblymen, Members of Parliament, ministers, and deputy ministers no longer need to be elected, democracy in Malaysia is dead. If appointments are enough for all official positions, there is no need to serve the people and no need to work, yet they receive the same salary, allowance, and funding. Malaysia will have no democracy left.”
As DAP Perak Chairman, Nga also revealed that as of Sunday morning (28th), DAP has successfully raised RM 1 million for flood victims in Bercham, Ipoh.
As DAP Perak Chairman, Nga also revealed that as of Sunday morning (28th), DAP has successfully raised RM 1 million for flood victims in Bercham, Ipoh.
He said that following the Bercham flood disaster, everyone demonstrated the spirit of “help from all sides when one side is in trouble”. Under the leadership of Bercham state assemblyman Wong Wen Bin, the DAP team immediately visited the disaster areas, distributing supplies and registering each household to ensure no affected family was left out.
“After assessing the disaster situation, Wong Wen Bin reported to me that the constituency urgently needed assistance. Therefore, I immediately launched a fundraising campaign.”
He emphasized that this donation reflects DAP’s unwavering commitment to standing with the people in the face of disaster, and the funds will be handed over in a ceremony next week.
He also said that previously, disaster victims had already received RM 1,000 per household through NADMA (the National Disaster Management Agency) assistance mechanism. An additional RM 300 per household was also provided as immediate relief.
“Currently, over 400 households have benefited, with about RM 400,000 distributed in total, but overall, this is still insufficient to cover the losses caused by the disaster.”
On the evening of the banquet, 102 tables were set; Nga also handed over a mock cheque for RM 1 million to Bercham state assemblyman’s service center so that the funds could quickly be distributed to disaster victims. An additional RM 30,035.40 was raised on-site during the event.
Attendees included DAP Perak Secretary and Taiping MP Wong Kah Woh, Deputy Secretary and Keher State Assemblyman Choo Chee Inn, Deputy Treasurer and Bercham State Assemblyman Wong Wen Bin, Publicity Secretary and Pasir Pinji State Assemblyman Wu Kar Leong, State Committee Member and Jelapang State Assemblyman Leow Thye Yih, State Committee Member and Manjoi State Assemblyman Chow Koon Huan, State Committee Member and Jalong State Assemblyman Siew Pau Heng, Women's Wing Deputy Chairlady and Keranji State Assemblywoman Khoo Hai Yen, and State Veteran Club Chairman Wee Thiam Foong and Secretary Wong Lai Hing, among others.