then party President Dr Chen Man Hin chairing a meeting with his comrades including a young Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh

Forty seven years later, DAP is still pursuing the dream of a united, multiracial Malaysia. For its political belief, the social democratic party has been ridiculed by the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition for being naïve and idealistic. Yet the tenacity of DAP leaders and members for almost half a century has not been in vain.

In the historic 2008 general elections, DAP with the cooperation of PAS and PKR finally captured Penang. In Selangor and Perak, DAP won most of it’s the seats contested, helping to Pakatan Rakyat to form state governments. In fact DAP performed quite well in Negeri Sembilan in 2008 despite BN retained its power in the state.

Five years later today, DAP and Pakatan Rakyat are more than ready to spread their wings. There were enough surveys to inform us that voters are prepared to answer the call of “Ubah”.

This time it is no longer the hope of denying BN’s two-thirds majority in the Parliament or the respective state assembly. This time it is about the change of government, the change of business-as-usual politics that have led to corruption, wastage, abuse of power and mediocrity.

In essence this is the meaning of DAP’s 47 years of existence. It is both a reminder as well as a statement of facts that DAP has reached the age of maturity, and some may say, the time to taste “power”, i.e. the mandate of the people.

So what gives? According to Fong Kui Lun, veteran party leader who holds the post of National Treasurer, the secret is not really a secret. “For me, DAP has never changed its principles.”

From “Malaysian Malaysia” to “Malaysian First”, the idea is still the same. DAP wants Malaysians to share the nation, to be Malaysian first, to reject racial politics, to work together towards a common goal. Basically, to make Malaysia truly democratic and free, ensuring that social justice and equal opportunity, and most importantly, no one left behind regardless of race and religion.

“Yes we’ve accommodated our political partners and vice versa. But changes are all about strategies and tactics. Yet we never compromised our principles. For me, that’s Malaysian Malaysia, or as we have it, Malaysian First,” said the 67-year-old Bukit Bintang MP.

DAP has survived for 47 years. Being one of the most vilified, attacked and persecuted, it is a miracle that more and more young people, including Malays and Bumiputras of Sabah and Sarawak are joining the folds.

Happy 47th anniversary to DAP and to every Malaysian who aspires to see a more democratic, free, safe, prosperous and fair nation. Just do the right thing on polling day. Vote for peace, equal opportunity and prosperity. -The Rocket