Consensus from allies needed on concurrent polls in Penang - Ramasamy

 

DAP must reach a consensus with Pakatan Harapan allies Amanah and PKR on whether Penang is going to hold its state election concurrently with the parliamentary polls.

According to Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy, this is so that Harapan parties are not seen as being unprincipled and opportunistic.

In a statement today, the senior DAP leader lined out several reasons why Penang DAP prefers to have simultaneous parliamentary and state elections.

"Firstly, voters need not come twice to the state (to vote) if concurrent elections are held, and secondly, there is a feeling among the grassroots that concurrent polls are the best way to defeat BN, especially when its strength is at the lowest.

"If separate elections are held, BN by winning the parliamentary seats, might be in a position to dent Harapan's strength at a later point, when the state election is held," Ramasamy (above) said.

Although it would be difficult for Harapan leadership to deviate from its initial position of not wanting to go for concurrent elections due to the risk of floods, the question of winning the state election should be paramount, he noted.

"The Penang DAP is of the opinion that simultaneous elections might be the best option in terms of capturing the state.

"Lastly, the logistical problems of having political campaigns twice - one for the parliamentary, and later, state election, might impose additional hardships and nightmares," said Ramasamy.

Despite the Penang DAP's stance, it is crucial for the party to convince its Harapan allies of the importance of holding concurrent elections for the above-mentioned reasons, he added.

"This might be easier said than done. Going for concurrent elections might be construed as Harapan parties being unprincipled or opportunistic - they say one thing first, and another thing later.

"Going back on what was agreed earlier would be tantamount to the betrayal of trust that people have in Harapan," Ramasamy stressed.

Consensus needed

Noting that a decision on concurrent polls has yet to be reached, Ramasamy said the outcome must be based on the principle of keeping the coalition intact.

"It should strike BN at its most vulnerable point, and importantly, the decision must be in line with Harapan offering an alternative government for Malaysians.

"Essentially, it is about politics and how the three component parties in Harapan can move towards a consensus," said Ramasamy.

DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng had also recently said that state polls should be held concurrently with the parliamentary election, as demanded by the Penang people.

However, a final decision on the matter will be announced by Harapan chairperson and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, he noted. - Mkini