For Pakatan, more cracks show after shadow Cabinet fumble

(Malay Mail Online) – Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) faltering bid for a shadow Cabinet has exposed its growing inability to function as a cohesive unit that could be a viable alternative to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

Malay Mail Online understands that Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s surprise proposal to revive PR’s abandoned shadow Cabinet idea on Monday was not well received by many leaders in the pact, who were caught unawares by her move.

Also high among the concerns for some PR leaders was PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s ongoing spat with DAP, which they said made any plans for a shadow Cabinet in the current climate of infighting unfeasible.

“She did not inform PKR leaders when making the announcement. No consultation.

“Why announce this now, when plans in the past for a shadow Cabinet did not work? And now, when issues with PAS and Hadi are unresolved?” a high-ranking PKR official told Malay Mail Online yesterday.

But PKR chief parliamentary whip Datuk Johari Abdul claimed that Dr Wan Azizah’s remarks were misinterpreted, and said she meant a ministerial committee in which all three PR parties proposed a candidate for each portfolio.

“We want three candidates from three parties to tackle one ministerial post… for example, can take Tony Pua, Rafizi Ramli for Finance Ministry, and one leader from PAS.

“Then let them handle that portfolio, and when it is time we decide on who should have that post,” the Sungai Petani MP told Malay Mail Online.

He said that PKR will bring up the proposal to DAP and PAS very soon.

Very soon may still be too late, however, as DAP has said it will put forth its own shadow Cabinet as any formulation of a PR version will not work until the ongoing row with PAS and Hadi over hudud is resolved.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also dismissed Johari’s suggestion, saying it was pointless as it was essentially the same as what PR attempted to do in 2008 but without success.

“Now we cannot come to a consensus on a shadow Cabinet because Hadi is a problem; so at the moment, it is best DAP presents its ministerial committee; and PKR and PAS follow suit…. and we take it from there,” he told Malay Mail Online after announcing DAP’s shadow Cabinet list yesterday.

“DAP has no issue working with PKR and some in PAS; it is Hadi which is the problem. So we are taking a step forward here to show we are ready to take the next step forward,” he added.

Still, some PR leaders have sought to downplay the significance of DAP announcing its shadow Cabinet line-up, claiming that each party has already chosen their own leaders for various ministerial positions should they take over Putrajaya.

“It is not new; it is just status quo,” PKR secretary-general Rafizi told Malay Mail Online.

“DAP has had that list for some time; so does PKR and PAS. We just haven’t made it public.”

PAS MP Khalid Samad echoed Rafizi’s views, but said it was DAP’s right to unveil its proposed Cabinet line-up if it wants to.

“It’s OK. We too (PAS) have our own list; we will sort it out. After all, it’s just a shadow Cabinet,” he told reporters when met outside Parliament yesterday.

But he refused to comment on DAP’s claim that any move by PR to form a cohesive shadow Cabinet would not work as it would likely be opposed by PAS chief Abdul Hadi.

“That is DAP’s opinion. It is OK, if that is what they feel,” Khalid added.