DAP says will stay in Selangor even without Pakatan Harapan

(Malay Mail Online) – DAP said today it will continue to be part of an ad hoc coalition in Selangor although Mentri Besar Azmin Ali shot down the formation of a Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in the state.

Selangor DAP chairman Tony Pua said his party will stay in order to provide check and balance to the state government, in addition to ensuring that policies agreed by the defunct Pakatan Rakyat will continue to be implemented.

“If the mentri besar refuses to change the political pact in Selangor, then DAP also does not wish to spark another political unrest in Selangor,” Pua said at the chapter’s ordinary convention here.

“Therefore, DAP will continue to be in an ad hoc coalition government and DAP will play its role so that Pakatan Rakyat’s mutually-agreed policies that were supported by voters during the previous elections will be fulfilled,” he added.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said in a speech that the DAP does not want “any policies by certain parties which will only benefit certain people and not the Selangor public”.

Among others, Lim pointed at PAS’ decision to cooperate with Malay rights group Perkasa on several issues, which he said has worried both Malays and non-Malays.

Pua also praised DAP state assemblymen for their 26 reports on various issues in shaping Selangor’s policies, in addition to their criticisms against the controversial state-owned Darul Ehsan Investment Group.

“Although they are supporters of the [Selangor] government, they are not flatterers of the government leaders. What is good must be praised, and what can be improved must be questioned and criticised positively,” said Pua.

Pua also expressed his disappointments over Selangor’s failure to implement local government elections, although it was part of Pakatan Rakyat’s manifesto in the 2013 elections.

“A local councillor elected by the locals will be responsible towards their voters. On the other hand, a member of the local council appointed by their party based on their positions in the party will prioritise their party, not residents,” he said.