Pitchforks out for Dr M, Bersatu man cries 'ingrates'

Although Pakatan Harapan national leaders are mostly apologising and calling for introspection following the coalition's disastrous outing during the Tanjung Piai by-election, some Penang Harapan grassroots are crossing swords.

For instance, DAP member and Seberang Perai councillor David Marshel on his Facebook page had urged Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take responsibility for the loss at Tanjung Piai by resigning as prime minister.

Similarly, Penang Bukit Tambun DAP chairperson Teoh Seang Hooi pointed a finger at Bersatu over the loss and urged Mahathir to reevaluate his leadership style.

In response, Bagan Bersatu division youth chief Sayyid Mohammed Mubarak argued that Mahathir had contributed a lot to Harapan and urged Marshel not to be "ungrateful".

"Harapan component party leaders should look in the mirror and accept the Tanjung Piai results and not just blame the Bersatu leadership for this," he said.

"We hope DAP can control its members from issuing statements and shooting themselves in the foot.

"If Marshel or other DAP leaders are not happy, they can leave Harapan and start a new party with the likes of Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy," Sayyid said.

This was in reference to Ramasamy's penchant for publicly airing criticisms against federal government policies.

Meanwhile, Teoh, a Penang DAP veteran, believed that the Tanjung Piai result was a reflection of voters' disgust at policies enacted by Bersatu's ministers rather than Harapan as a whole.

David Marshel

Speaking to Malaysiakini, he said these policies included support for the Malay Dignity Congress last month, the policy of teaching Jawi in schools and the detention of 15 individuals - including two DAP lawmakers - on alleged terror charges.

"Mahathir's last-minute campaigning was too late to address the dissatisfaction of the voters in Tanjung Piai.

"I hope Mahathir is humble enough to consider the defeat as a wake-up call for him to speed up the fulfilment of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto," said Teoh.

Meanwhile, Penang-based activist Rahmad Isahak said if Harapan's poor showing in Tanjung Piai could be deemed as an early warning for the coalition, Mahathir should call for Parliament to be dissolved to pave the way for a general election (GE15).

"Mahathir should do this before he is pushed out of Parliament by his own coalition partners," Rahmad, a former DAP member said.

However, he urged BN not to be overconfident and work towards "cleansing" its own coalition, especially Umno.

"Also, the new BN leadership must ensure Malay rights and Islam are protected while the rights of other communities are looked after too," said Rahmad, who contested as an independent candidate in Penang during the 2018 elections. - Mkini