Malays warming up to Harapan, says Guan Eng

INTERVIEW | Although Pakatan Harapan managed to form the government after the 14th general election, there are still concerns over their Malay vote share which is split among Harapan, Umno and PAS.

PKR, the biggest party in Harapan, won largely due to the party contesting in mixed seats while Bersatu and Amanah, which contested in seats with big Malay majorities, seemed unable to sufficiently overcome the PAS factor.

However, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng believes this is not as worrying as it seems, citing his experience in Penang.

"Definitely we want to increase our vote share among the Malays as well as among all Malaysians but the Malays have accepted this new government.

"They see this government as a continuation of the Merdeka promise, of a fair share for everyone," Guan Eng said in an interview with Malaysiakini.

The former Penang chief minister said when the then-Pakatan Rakyat became the Penang state government, it only received about 30 percent of the Malay vote.

"But now, we have almost 45 to 50 percent of the Malay vote. We even won Umno seats which you would never think we could win," said Guan Eng, who is now the finance minister.

As long as the new government proves itself to the people within the next five years and improves the country, the people will continue to support them, he said.

With Harapan now in power, the cabinet is filled with the coalition's top leaders, though one notable name is missing.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, has not accepted any position or post in the new Harapan government.

Some have pointed out that Kit Siang would be a valuable addition to the government due to his vast experience in politics.

But Guan Eng believes his father's refusal of any government position only proves that he is fighting for a better Malaysia.

"His refusal proves to the people that he is fighting for the people and our children's future. He is not fighting to get any post for himself.

"That is the legend, the legend of Lim Kit Siang," said Guan Eng.

'A joke too far'

On the future of the DAP leadership, Guan Eng revealed that DAP already has a succession plan in place.

"As far as DAP's future path is concerned, it is fixed and stable," he said.

On talk that Umno leaders are meeting with Harapan's top leadership sparking off concerns that Umno is seeking to join the government coalition, Guan Eng said he was not concerned about this.

He pointed out that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been firm in rejecting Umno.

On PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim reportedly saying that there will be no cooperation between Harapan and Umno for now, though he did not discount a tie-up in the future, Guan Eng claimed Anwar wasn't serious.

Anwar had said: "Future case, que sera sera (whatever will be, will be). But for now, it is certainly not in the equation.”

Guan Eng said Anwar was making a joke when he said this.

"He told me he was joking. He always wants to inject humour. I have told him that it probably gave the wrong impression and he agreed with me.

"(Accepting Umno) is not acceptable to Malaysians. I think Anwar realised this (his remark) was a joke too far," Guan Eng said. - Mkini