Infighting in Pakatan Rakyat?
The PKR is the weakest component party of the Pakatan Rakyat and it has to rely on the DAP and PAS. Therefore, the party’s interests should be prioritised, instead of personal interests. If Johor PKR loses the support of its allies, it will still fail to achieve anything even though if it is able to maintain its safe constituencies.
Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily
Cracks emerged between Johor DAP and PKR on the same day when the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) offered each other the hand of unity, reflecting that changes can take place at any time in politics, and the relationships among component parties of the Pakatan Rakyat are not as good as they claimed.
If the above three political parties in Sabah are just uniting on the surface, at least they still know how not shout at each other. The Johor DAP and PKR, however, have failed to do so. If the contradictions are not eliminated before the general election, the Pakatan Rakyat might not even be able to achieve the target of winning 10 parliamentary seats, let alone to seize the Johor state power.
There are a few factors behind the hostility between Johor DAP and PKR, including the state has been neglected by the DAP due to the party’s factional problem, and the PKR has been eyeing on Chinese votes amidst the wind of anti-ruling due to the lack of grassroots support, leading to the conflict with the DAP.
The Pakatan Rakyat has classified Johor as a front-line state. However, the DAP’s concern for Johor is far less compared to Selangor, Perak, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.
It has been confirmed that PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub will return to contest in Johor and due to the lack of talents, former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who joined the PKR only in 2009, is appointed to lead the team in Johor. Many DAP central leaders are from Johor, but it was only heard recently that Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong might be fielded to contest in Kluang, Johor.
DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang has announced in June 2011 that Johor has been classified as a frontline state, and a special team headed by the party’s Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng was set up to assist the Johor DAP in achieving the dream of seizing Johor.
However, Johor DAP Chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau is not a mainstream leader. It might be the reason why the special team has not been taking great actions. Also, it is rumoured that some central leaders would help out in Johor, but no move has been made so far.
If the DAP central committee really attaches importance to Johor, the state’s seat apportionment problem should be resolved through negotiations as soon as possible, instead of letting Boo to repeatedly express dissatisfaction publicly without taking any actions. Obviously, the party is facing internal communication and coordination problems.
Only DAP Chairman Karpal Singh has expressed support to Boo on that day after the statement accusing Chua of being behind “vicious attacks” against Johor DAP was issued. The contradictions of the two parties in Johor have surfaced and it seems unlikely to be solved within the state and thus, has to be submitted to the party’s central leaders.
The Pakatan Rakyat is ambitious in seizing the federal power, but it lacks a drastic determination. It should follow the example of Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman and Lobak state assemblymen Anthony Loke, who volunteered to contest in the Chennah state seat to seize the only remaining seat of the MCA in Negeri Sembilan. Only such a fighting spirit can boost the morale of the grassroots.
Similar situation has taken place in another frontline state, Pahang. The situation there is favourable to the Pakatan Rakyat thanks to the rare-earth refinery plant issue. However, the DAP does not have a prominent leader to lead the team.
How is the Pakatan Rakyat going to beat its enemy in Johor, which is a BN’s bastion, with a poor battle array led by no prominent candidate?
The PKR is the weakest component party of the Pakatan Rakyat and it has to rely on the DAP and PAS. Therefore, the party’s interests should be prioritised, instead of personal interests. If Johor PKR loses the support of its allies, it will still fail to achieve anything even though if it is able to maintain its safe constituencies.
Those who do great things must carry the spirit of sacrificing for the greater goal. Nothing will be achieved if Pakatan Rakyat leaders lack such kind of spirit.
