SEKINCHAN: The Parit 9 Gambut DAP branch in Sekinchan is made up of all Malay members, a rare case for the party.

Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim, who is also the Selangor state legislative assembly Speaker, said Malays in rural areas shunned away from DAP due to the smear campaign initiated by Umno.

It is rare for rural Malays to vote for DAP, let alone set up an all- Malay branch.

Ng, who is also the party’s assistant national organising secretary, said while officiating the branch, “After three terms of state government under Pakatan Harapan, the perception of the Malays have changed. Rural Malays begin to accept and support DAP.”

Aris Taib, chairman of the branch, said he was criticised by the villagers when he went round to recruit members. He was even labelled as a traitor.

After serving the villagers for many years as the village head, he slowly gained support and managed to set up a DAP branch there.

“The Malays in rural areas no longer see DAP as an evil. The branch will continue to assist people in solving issues related to the infrastructure,” he said.