'Create history with Wan Azizah as first Malay, woman Penang CM'

PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would create history if she is ever elected to be Penang chief minister, said author Hasmi Hashim.

Speaking at the forum “Ketua Menteri Melayu Pulau Pinang, ya atau tidak” (A Malay Penang Chief Minister, Yes or No) at Malaysiakini last night, the writer and lyricist recalled the 2008 Pakatan Rakyat manifesto had mentioned they would change the chief minister every two terms.

He said as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had said he respects PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, he should consider the suggestion.

“Wan Azizah (photo) has fought for a nunber of years, and true she is a MP, but she has never had the chance to sit in the appropriate seat that would allow her to put into place policies that she has come up with,” said Hasmi.

“I apologise if it's a bit uncomfortable for our DAP friends, but perhaps there are gentlemen who after two terms, cannot achieve what you had wanted to achieve (as chief minister),” he said.

Hasmi felt there is a need for a change of chief minister to have a Malay take up the role, not only to make it a first for the state to have a Malay top executive, but to make history in having a woman chief minister.

He was earlier asked who he felt would be the best candidate to administer Penang.

Hasmi (photo) said Pakatan Harapan has only six more months to prepare for the 14th general election, and as such they need more concrete strategies.

“Otherwise, I fear Harapan will lose, and tomorrow the names (of the administration) would change again … so they should think deeper if they are serious,” he said.

The author has raised the matter of a Malay Penang chief minister before, saying it is about time that becomes a reality.

Harapan lacking racial agenda

Last night's forum included panellists Amanah communications director Khalid Samad, political analyst Maszlee Malik, jouornalist Fathi Aris Omar and NGO Muafakat Malaysia's Yusmadi Yusoff, and moderated by Najwan Halimi.

During the two-hour event, Khalid said the appointment of a chief minister needed to be decided firstly through majority support, before other considering factors.

“What is important is that the Penang chief minister must be the choice of the majority of the people, and that he can improve, be transparent, and prioritise the welfare of the people.

“As long as one aspires to be a leader who is fair, whether its a Malay or non-Malay, God willing, the people will accept it,” he said.

Meanwhile Fathi claimed the opposition, that is Harapan, has failed to tackle the issue of Malays in the state and has only stated in general terms their manifesto, leading to a loss of support from the community.

“The opposition has not pushed Malay issues. The opposition has not adopted the racial approach of Umno to the point the Malays feel threatened (tergugat); Umno makes the Malay feel as if other races cannot represent them, therefore they have confidence in Umno.

“The opposition however hasn't offered their own approach (concerning the Malays), and has only briefly given guarantees that Islam would remain the official religion, Malay (would be the official language), but they haven't done it as aggressively as Umno.

“The opposition cannot avoid matters of race, that is the void that is causing them to lose Malay votes,” he said.- Mkini