Karpal’s daughter: Dr M as PM candidate shows Opposition’s lack of strategy
(The Star) – Sangeet Kaur Deo, the daughter of the late DAP veteran Karpal Singh, has questioned Pakatan Harapan’s decision to name Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its prime ministerial candidate.
The DAP Wanita international secretary said the fact that the Opposition has “no one else” to choose was an indication of its lack of long-term strategy.
With the arrangement that Dr Mahathir is the interim prime minister until jailed PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is eligible, Sangeet questioned when will that happen and how realistic it would be.
“The argument that working with Dr Mahathir is only to ensure change no longer holds water. He will be prime minister all over again, introducing the rebirth of Mahathirism,” she said.
“While it may be an act in desperation, as was our coalition with PAS at one point, will we be open to working with (Datuk Seri) Najib (Tun Razak) one day, should desperate circumstances demand?” she said in her Facebook post on Sunday (Jan 7).
Sangeet added that Dr Mahathir had openly and half-heartedly apologised for the Internal Security Act (ISA) and other wrongdoings during his reign.
“This is not about forgiveness. This is about accountability. Persons in positions of power should be held accountable for their actions. Equally he should be too,” said Sangeet.
She added that there should be no double standards about who should be investigated, especially since the Opposition has vowed to revamp the Attorney-General’s Chambers once in power.
She added that Opposition leaders have remained silent in the face of Dr Mahathir’s recent apologies.
She said judging from that, the people could also expect silence from them during Dr Mahathir’s forthcoming reign should the Opposition take over Putrajaya.
“DAP has always been the voice against abuse of power, freedom of the press, independence of the judiciary and sanctity of our institutions. DAP. I can’t hear you,” said Sangeet.
At the Pakatan convention on Sunday, the coalition unanimously settled on Dr Mahathir as the candidate for prime minister and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as his deputy should they make it to Putrajaya.
The decision was set in an agreement of cooperation, which was signed by Dr Mahathir as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi) chairman, Dr Wan Azizah as PKR president, Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu.
Among others, the agreement stipulated that a royal pardon would be obtained for Anwar once Pakatan wrested Putrajaya from Barisan Nasional and be made prime minister.
