ROCKET UNITED CAFE

FOR supper yesterday, one of my ex-colleague brought me to visit the DAP's Rocket United Café which opened more than a month ago.

The kopitiam-style café is pork-free, although I could not spot officially-approved halal certification. It has DAP written all over it, though, from its entrance with the party's blue and red rocket logo beginning in the tile work on the five-foot way and extending up onto a wall of the interior. A pull-down screen hid part of the rocket's design and I was half-expecting a speech video to be playing but thankfully it was the Channel V music video channel instead.

At the entrance and facing the street is a book rack where the past and current editions of the party organ, The Rocket, are sold. At the cashier's counter, there is a donation box for the Teoh Beng Hock Trust Fund.

Inside, one wall is taken up by a display cabinet selling DAP memorabilia like t-shirts, Justice for Beng Hock button badges and coffee mugs. Also on sale are books, which include titles like The Memoirs of Shamsiah Fakeh: From AWAS to 10th Regiment, and The Finest Hour: The Malaysian-MCP Peace Accord in Perspective. Books by Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali and DAP researcher and Member of Parliament Liew Chin Tong make up the other titles available. I thought it was good that finally, there is an easily-accessible public place where alternative histories and commentaries on Malaysia are available.

These is also a more comfortable spot for patrons using WiFi, which is provided free.

All about Lim Guan Eng


Anwar and Guan Eng watch while you eat

But what really becomes the topic of dinner conversation is the blown-up photograph of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. It takes up half a wall and looms over diners. A bit too-in-your-face, perhaps? Plus, Lim is photographed at an angle that isn't too flattering, giving diners a view of his raised underarm.

Lim, who is also the Penang Chief Minister, is featured a fair bit in the menu. In between the pages of what's available to eat, there are photos of him handcuffed and a short write-up of his detention under the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act for his allegations of statutory rape against former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik.

On another page is a short essay of PR's performance in the 2008 general election, the DAP's wresting of Penang, Lim's appointment as chief minister and the state government's achievements to date.

March 2008 was a historic milestone in the Malaysian politics.

This was my first time here and opted for the Hang Tuah Coffee while my ex-colleague opted for a fruit drink. There are various food in the menu such as Penang Char Kway Teow, Nyonya Rice with Chicken Rendang and chendol.

Verdict: the coffee tastes quite ok. Prices are reasonable, however, compared to other kopitiam outlets, and the choices on the menu are far wider.

I was told by my ex-colleague that this cafe was originated from the idea of DAP publicity chief Tony Pua.

A DAP chill-out franchise?

This cafe was opened by supporters of DAP. Only the DAP logo, party products and images are used in the café under a licensing agreement. In exchange, the party gets up to 10% of the café's earnings. The party has no investment but gets a say on the interior design and the items put up for sale.

10% discount available for DAP members! If you want to get 10% discounts on food and drinks, then you should consider joining DAP as a member. This is one of the place for people to hang out. What a good idea from Tony Pua to reach out to the society and as part of the publicity to DAP. Besides, future / potential voters can also register their names at the cafe.

The café had a steady stream of customers. I spotted a mix of Indian and Chinese Malaysians, but could not discern any Malay Malaysian diners. The diners were mostly families or groups of young people, the suburban type of crowd dressed in shorts and t-shirts looking for a quick meal.

Investors are willing to throw money behind the DAP brand name in the competitive food and beverage industry? That anti-Barisan Nasional sentiments can actually be turned into a market segment?

Given the volatility of politics, what would happen to the business if DAP were to lose in the next general election?