PH stronger with 11-9-8 seat deal, common logo

 

From Liew Chin Tong

There is no doubt that the Melaka state general election is extremely challenging for Pakatan Harapan.

The curbs on campaigning, the fear among the community of Covid-19 spread, the falsehood being spread about politics, and the lack of enthusiasm among voters mean that it is an uphill battle for PH.

The silver lining is that PH has agreed to face the Melaka election as one team.

At a press conference yesterday, the top leaders of PH – Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Sabu, Lim Guan Eng – made several very important announcements with regards to the upcoming Melaka state election, namely, all Pakatan Harapan parties would use the PH logo; and the three parties agreed to a formula of PKR 11, Amanah 9, DAP 8 for seat distribution, with DAP promised the parliamentary seat of Alor Gajah.

The decision to use the PH logo is a highly significant one, which will have long-term impact beyond the Melaka state elections.

The decision by PKR to agree to use the PH logo after hesitating for a long time is commendable. The decision closes a chapter of uncertainty and with the new certainty comes a stronger coalition.

With PH now united under a common logo, with a common leader Adly Zahari, and a seat deal, it is ready to face its opponents, in the forms of Barisan Nasional (with Umno at its centre) and Perikatan Nasional (with Bersatu as the core party).

PH shall present a Malaysian vision which will guide the Pakatan government to govern for all Malaysians and not to appeal to racial sentiments.

Both BN and PN are appealing to a narrow base, an audience which subscribes to the idea of supremacists. Both do not have a multi-ethnic outlook.

Melaka and Malaysia deserve better. A united PH is the choice for the people of Melaka, and we shall rebuild Melaka and the nation together. - FMT

Liew Chin Tong is DAP national political education director.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.