After eating desserts in SS2, we walked pass a shop that looks like an English football club. At first, I thought it was a pub. But on closer look, it turned out to be a cafe and the interesting thing was it is opened by one the major opposition party in Malaysia, Democratic Action Party. Curiosity brought the two of us into the cafe. Anyway, both of us need a cup of coffee after all those desserts.
We all know the Singapore connection of the Democratic Action Party. After some bad blood joining Malaysia for a brief period, Singapore was kicked out of the federation. Lee Kuan Yew's People's Action Party has to be disbanded in Malaysia. The remnant of PAP in Malaysia then formed a new party called Democratic Action Party, the lighting was replaced by a rocket. At one point of time, DAP was the largest opposition party in Malaysia, winning most seats in urban area. However, with the demographic changes in Malaysia, PAS has overtaken DAP a stronger opposition force but the DAP is still a major opposition force to be reckoned with in Malaysian politics. In the previous election, it has taken the helm of two states with substantial Chinese population. The menu of the cafe describes this history.
The political history of Malaya and then Malaysia began with UMNO, which is the party that won independence for the country from British. Its close allies are Malaysian Chinese Association and Malaysian Indian Congress which negotiated for independence with British together with UMNO. After the formation of Malaysia, UMNO was not willing to abandon its ally MCA for Singapore's People's Action Party as the leader for Chinese community. Lee Kuan Yew saw UMNO as a party of Malay aristocract and MCA as a party of Chinese towkey (rich Chinese businessmen). He saw People's Action Party as the potential representation of the common people in Malaysia. At first, both sides had agreed to leave each other's territory alone. The bad blood started when they started to accuse each others of fielding candidates in elections on their own turf and direct confrontation became open with Lee Kuan Yew championing for a Malaysian Malaysia and the alliance emphasizing constitutional sanctity. The confrontation culminated with the expulsion of Singapore from Malaysia.
The menu of Cafe Rocket United are mainly local dishes like nasi lemak, curry puff, mee siam, fried bee hoon, etc. However, it offers an interesting collection of Malaysian coffee and tea. There were not many customers at the time we were there. When asked about its business, the waiter said the cafe is doing quite okay.
In the shop front, there is a poster urging the public to register themselves as voters to exercise their voting obligations. At the back of the counter, there is a array of coffee utensils for sale.
Of course, there are also quite a few books and party magazines for sale.
In addition, there are some party memorabilia on sale.
On the side wall, there is a big poster showing Pakatan Rakyat leaders Lim Guan Eng and Anwar Ibrahim. PAS leaders however were not on the poster.
We ordered two different brew of Malaysian coffee. The coffee was served in a device commonly called French press, but also known as press pot, coffee press, coffee plunger or сafetière à piston. The brew was thick. Sugar and condensed milk were also provided.
With 2 press pot of coffee, the total bill came up to RM8.00. Value for money I guess. I am just wondering whether there are similar shops opened by UMNO or MCA.
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