End imminent for Pakatan Harapan?

(NST) – It cannot form a government because in the 40-seat assembly, it is two seats shy of a simple majority. And yet, the chief minister appears to not have learnt any lesson from the Pakatan break-up.

PAKATAN Harapan (PH) is looking like it is about to go the way of its predecessor, Pakatan Rakyat. The Penang chief minister is furious because five PKR state assemblymen abstained from voting on a reclamation motion tabled by the opposition Umno.

Despite claiming that the Penang executive council has lost confidence in the five, the chief minister says they remain part of the government. But purging them is not an option. He needs the support of PKR to remain chief minister. Antagonising them then cannot be on the cards.

In this instance, the Umno motion sought to put on hold reclamation projects pending Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment reports, surely a sensible suggestion and in the best interest of the people. But, as is the practice of the Pakatan opposition, every issue is politicised. In this case, presumably, the state government fears the political mileage Umno might gain if it conceded. Therefore, the issue goes to the vote.

Of course, where conscience overrides political loyalty — appropriate when one represents the will of the people — the assemblyman cannot be persuaded otherwise unless the party whip is applied to keep members in line. Again the chief minister, as the voice of DAP, demonstrates his dictatorial tendencies.

The same was true when DAP fell out with Pas over the latter’s intention to implement hudud in Kelantan. Notwithstanding the assurances given by Pas that it would not affect non-Muslims, DAP refused to see reason. It did not matter that it might strengthen the party’s support. DAP was insistent that for the “coalition” to continue, Pas must give up hudud on the grounds that it was not suitable for a multi-religious society.

But Kelantan, where hudud will be implemented, is a Malay-Muslim state, conservative, and has long been a Pas stronghold. And, the party had never needed any other party’s help to hold the state. Why DAP — the Lim father and son team — should feel able to impose their will on Pas is beyond comprehension. Naturally, that misconception proved to be fatal for the alliance.

Are we then headed in a similar direction in Penang? The Penang Assembly seats are distributed between the parties with DAP well ahead of the others but without PKR, it cannot form a government because in the 40-seat assembly, it is two seats shy of a simple majority. And yet, the chief minister appears to not have learnt any lesson from the Pakatan break-up. He seems obsessed with the desire to impose his will on others, irrespective.

One wonders how much longer his coalition partners can withstand the assault on their sensitivities. For, in the final analysis, the people’s representative is responsible to his electorate first and then the party.

As a result of DAP’s inability to figure this one out, there is a likelihood that it will continue losing more support from the electorate. And, what about its promises to the people? On the other hand, Barisan Nasional has fulfilled 95 per cent of its pledges in the 13th General Election manifesto. What has Pakatan achieved so far, besides not getting their act together?