It’s now become clear that BN’s pursuing that whole defection strategy with earnest - so much so that Hadi Awang’s come out strong and has called for unity. He’s done the right thing, even though PAS has won the least number of seats in Perak. The rumours, most probably rooted deep in fact, point to large amounts of cash being offered for state assemblymen to switch sides. Like I’ve said before, BN’s just 8 to 9 seats away from a 2/3 majority, and any defection is a massive blow to both unity and the public’s confidence in the opposition - let alone hope for a better Malaysia.
And then Lim Kit Siang comes out and issues a statement on his blog, picked up by Malaysiakini, that none of the DAP Perak assemblymen will attend Mohamad Jamaludin Nizar’s appointment as Perak’s Menteri Besar.
This is hateful. Hateful. Because the decision to appoint Mohamad Nizar obviously points to the state’s constitutional requirement for a muslim MB, and LKS’s reaction is.. you know what? Both actions are two sides of the same racist, communal coin that voters voted against on 8th March 2008. In this case, one is a requirement by the state, whilst LKS’s response is a requirement by no one. Why can’t you be the bigger man, Uncle Kit? Why can’t DAP be the bigger party?
The point is Bangsa Malaysia. The point, I thought, was Barisan Rakyat. I swear, if this problem is not resolved without keeping these fundamental principles in mind, I will never support DAP - in fact, nobody else should because DAP would’ve proved itself as anachronistic and stuck in the past as its Barisan Nasional counterpart, UMNO. (Is that what you think you are? A replacement for MCA? To fight for Chinese rights rather than the rights of ALL Malaysians?)
I mean, what the HELL is wrong with you DAP people? You have a solid majority in Perak, and you ALL have agreed to work together in a coalition government. That means decisions have to be collective - why the petty ruckus over Nizar’s appointment?! What is the rationale, here? The assemblyman from Setiawan had previously assured that all parties will work with the Sultan’s choice. Why backtrack now?
And can you imagine the massive blowback to the Barisan Rakyat idea? It’s still so fragile, and BN’s doing everything it can to tear it to pieces.
Unless the DAP shows proof that Nizar intends to do something drastic like crossover to BN or will definitely institute regressive hudud laws, the DAP must answer for this - and the clock’s ticking.
Comments (9)
I agree with you. I’m from Ipoh and this ‘boycott’from LKs is childish and selfish. Though DAP won more seats in Perak, the fact is I doubt they will do as well without the Barisan Rakyat ticket.
This call for boycott is in poor spirit.
Reader comments over at LKS’s blog is an indication of how bad his decision really is. It’s just *heartbreaking* for us to come this far and then blocked by DAP.
All the more reason to push for local elections and put the power firmly in the hands of the people, rather than politicians who’d rather play positions for power and influence.
Lim Kit Siang appears to have jumped the gun on this one but somehow, I have a feeling that there is more to this outburst. What has Anwar got to say about this?
If it’s an attempt to show the Chinese that DAP is still a pejuang for Chinese, it’s done in very, very bad taste and in a ridiculous fashion.
As far as I’m concerned, I think the Sultan of Perak made the right choice - PAS has the smallest representation in the new coalition government, hence the best way to balance powers, authority and accountability will be to make the weakest take the strongest position, because it’s not about numerical superiority - it’s about the soundness - and the willingness to see through - the principles upon which the coalition is founded.
I know - it sounds idealistic, framing the issue that way, but look where pragmatics have taken us over the past 50 years while we were wallowing in BN’s communal power-play.
It just feels like LKS doesn’t fully grasp that we are entering a new era, with the possibility of a new kind of politics. That’s what’s so disappointing by his move, knee-jerk or not - it’s purely communal in character.
lim kit siang is no longer relevant!
why was BN not being offered a chance to form the Govt in Perak. After all BN (a registered party) won 28 seats. if after failing to form the govt only then the offer goes to the party with the next most number of seats.
and who is lim kit siang to protest when dap won only 18 seats. combine with pkr - 25 still no fight with BN.
so shaddap lim kit siang.
we will never vote for DAP again. period.
got people in perak already, i am still in kedah. but drama is brewing everywhere lah, not just perak. only that it is not apparent, at least now not yet. die die die all fighting among themselves.
bn must be going “i told you sooooo”
and babe!
“As far as I’m concerned, I think the Sultan of Perak made the right choice - PAS has the smallest representation in the new coalition government, hence the best way to balance powers, authority and accountability will be to make the weakest take the strongest position, because it’s not about numerical superiority - it’s about the soundness - and the willingness to see through - the principles upon which the coalition is founded.”
then DAP is the smallest winner in kedah, then why is pas leading it?
Good question, why is PAS leading it?
Yes, LKS has disappointed man of us new generation Malaysian with his statement. But lets give him a chance to redeem himself. Less we forget and be ungrateful for all his good deeds & his fight for democracy for so many years.
Trackback/Pingback (1)
[...] BN puts pressure. LKS retreats into… where? - I mean, what the HELL is wrong with you DAP people? You have a solid majority in Perak, and you ALL have agreed to work together in a coalition government. That means decisions have to be collective - why the petty ruckus over Nizar’s appointment?! What is the rationale, here? The assemblyman from Setiawan had previously assured that all parties will work with the Sultan’s choice. Why backtrack now? [...]