DAP's political DNA always confrontational, says Rahman Dahlan

DAP's political DNA has always been confrontational, where its leaders will shoot first and ask later and don't care about the consequences, said Barisan Nasional strategic communications director, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

In a statement today, Abdul Rahman said it was sad to see young and emerging leaders easily succumb to the party's old politics of instigation, provocation, hatred and demonisation.

"From bad taste satirical videos to downright offensive Hari Raya greetings, the new DAP leaders couldn't unshackle themselves from LKS-ism," he said, referring to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

He was commenting on offensive Hari Raya postings on the Facebook account of Taiping Member of Parliament, Nga Kor Ming.

Abdul Rahman, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said "hard elbowing" in politics was normal and expected, but must not be at the expense of racial and religious harmony.

He said the new DAP leaders couldn't distinguish between scoring political brownie points and tearing apart society, and had clearly crossed the line.

"Can DAP leaders express their views, no matter how strong, without resorting to such intimidation? Of course, yes. Question is, why don't they?"

Abdul Rahman said it was time for all Malaysians to demand that DAP be more responsible and tactful in their politicking.

"Let us tell DAP that this is 2016 not 1966! DAP's young and emerging leaders must put unity above partisan politics. Otherwise for every action, there will surely be a counter reaction," he said