State polls: Penang situation different from federal – DAP election director

 

With six states expected to hold their state assembly elections by the first half of this year, all eyes are on how the new cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and BN at the federal level, as well as in Perak and Pahang, will translate to the state elections.

While both Selangor and Negeri Sembilan leaders from Harapan and BN have expressed hope for smooth negotiations regarding an electoral pact, their Penang counterparts have not been as forthcoming.

Penang DAP election director Wong Hon Wai (above) believes not only is there ample time left for such discussion, but he also said their situation is unique and different from the “unity government” at the federal level as well as in Perak and Pahang.

“We are facing a different scenario from those states or the federal level that had hung assemblies or hung Parliament, which made them have to come to a compromise or form a working relationship with other coalitions.

“Our situation is unique because we have quite strong support in the state (Penang), so with these considerations, our approach may be different from some other states,” Wong said when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

On Monday (Jan 16), Penang Pakatan Harapan chairperson Chow Kon Yeow said they were waiting for a directive from the coalition leaders at the national level on cooperation with BN in the state polls.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow

Chow said he prefers to have the state elections in the middle of this year and is hoping for better clarity on the timing of the state polls.

Wong said Chow, who is also the Penang chief minister, had previously outlined several possible scenarios for the state elections that are, either in full cooperation with BN as a whole or some kind of “electoral understanding” with Umno.

In particular, Wong said, the electoral understanding would likely involve ensuring Harapan and Umno do not clash in multi-cornered fights against Perikatan Nasional (PN) in certain seats.

The state seats in question…

Specifically, he said, the state seats in question would be those under the three parliamentary seats in Penang that PN won in the 15th general election (GE15) – Kepala Batas, Permatang Pauh and Tasek Gelugor.

There are a total of nine state seats under those three parliamentary seats. These are Penaga, Bertam, Pinang Tunggal, Seberang Jaya, Permatang Pasir, Penanti, Permatang Berangan, Sungai Dua and Telok Ayer Tawar.

“But the other seats, we won even in three-cornered fights. So it is unlikely we are going to give up seats we have won.

“That’s the reality of it. This is generally the views of some of our leaders and grassroots.

“Whatever seats we won, we want to maintain them. Whatever other seats where we didn’t make it, then that can be discussed. This could be the basis for further discussions (between Harapan and BN),” Wong said.

Of course, he added, the main goal of Harapan would be to ensure one-on-one fights against PN in the state election.

Despite all that, Wong said it is far too early to make any concrete decisions about the Harapan-BN cooperation in the Penang state election.

He pointed out that the Penang Legislative Assembly is set to have one last sitting in March before the deadline to have the election in the middle of the year.

“Within a few months, things can still develop so we will keep an open mind on the latest developments in the federal and state level before we have a final decision... with the guidance of the central Harapan leadership,” Wong added. - Mkini