Cooperation is not submission

Malaysiakini

08-05-2025

MP SPEAKS | The recent comment by Umno Veterans Club secretary-general Mustapha Yaakub, describing DAP as a 'wild horse' that needs to be reined in, is not only inappropriate - it is also counterproductive, especially given the realities of our current political landscape.
'Today, that once wild horse, now nearly tame, is with Umno and is becoming even more docile within the BN-Pakatan Harapan stable.'
That line isn't just condescending - it reflects a troubling misunderstanding of what responsible governance and principled cooperation actually require.
If working across party lines to bring stability and results to the nation is seen as 'docile,' then we must ask - what exactly are we glorifying when we stay on the sidelines and jeer?
DAP isn't here to placate those clinging to tired tropes. We are part of the coalition government because Malaysians voted for change - less division, more results.
Today, strength isn't defined by how loud you shout in opposition, but by your ability to govern, collaborate, and deliver for everyone.
We haven't lost our ideals - we've brought them into government, where we can fight for reforms that truly matter. And if that unsettles those who thrive on labels and discord, then so be it.
Calling us 'tame' only reveals how little some understand the courage it takes to lead during uncertain times. This isn't a submission. It's responsibility, and far too few are willing to shoulder it.
Shared goals
Malaysia is led by a coalition government - a pact built on shared goals, compromise, and mutual accountability. Each component, including DAP and Umno, plays a vital role in ensuring the stability and effectiveness of this administration.
So when statements like these are made publicly, the question must be asked: Who benefits from this narrative? And what purpose does this kind of rhetoric actually serve?
Is the goal to strengthen our cooperation - or to undermine it?
When politicians fall back on metaphors like 'wild horse,' it's often because they have nothing substantial to offer. Instead of discussing real policy differences or proposing meaningful alternatives, they reach for labels designed to sow doubt and division.
The irony is that those who now attack DAP had no issue forming partnerships when it suited their ambitions. One day it's about national interest, and the next, we're painted as a threat to stability.
This double standard should concern anyone who believes in sincere, principled leadership.
DAP's position has always been consistent. We fight for clean governance, transparency, institutional reform, and a truly multiracial society. These are not radical stances - they are the foundations of a healthy democracy.
Coalition government leaders at the 2023 Unity Government Convention in Kuala Lumpur
And if that's considered 'wild,' then perhaps we need to re-examine the kind of political culture we are trying to protect.
To suggest that coalition partners must be subdued or controlled is a dangerous path. It erodes the very essence of coalition politics, where progress comes through engagement, not hierarchy.
Strength in diversity
Malaysia's strength lies not just in its diversity of people but also in the diversity of views, voices, and experiences.
We simply cannot move forward by demanding silence from those who think differently. We grow when we listen - even when it's uncomfortable.
Malaysia is not built on fear. It's built on the hope that different voices can come together and still be heard. Real leadership doesn't rely on control - it depends on trust. It doesn't push others aside - it brings them along.
In the end, our nation's strength is not found in how tightly we grip power, but in how confidently we walk forward - together.
SYERLEENA ABDUL RASHID is Bukit Bendera MP.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.