THE Penang DAP prefers to have simultaneous parliamentary and state elections.
However, with the assistance of the national leadership they need to convince the other Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties, Amanah and PKR that this is the best option under the present political circumstances.
There is a possibility that Pakatan Harapan states like Selangor and Negri Sembilan might opt for a separate state election.
Penang DAP has convincing reasons why it is better to go for concurrent elections.
First, voters need not come twice to the state if concurrent elections are held.
Second, there is a feeling among the grassroots that concurrent elections are the best way to defeat the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially when its strength is at its lowest.
If separate elections are held, the BN by winning the parliamentary seats might be in a position to dent the strength of the Opposition at a later point when state elections are held.
Third, even before the dissolution of Parliament, PH presidential council announced that it would not go for concurrent elections considering the monsoon season with the possibility of floods.
Although it might be difficult to deviate from this initial position, the question of winning the state election should be paramount.
The Penang DAP is of the opinion that simultaneous elections might be the best option in terms of capturing the state.
Fifth, the logistical problems of having political campaigns twice, one for the parliamentary and later state elections might impose additional hardship and nightmare if elections are held at two different times.
The Penang DAP might opt to have concurrent elections for reasons outlined above.
Under the present circumstances, concurrent elections will be the best option in terms of winning the state election.
But DAP is not alone in trying to decide the best option. There is a need to convince Amanah and PKR to go along with this decision. This might be easier said than done.
PH component parties might be taking their orders from their national leadership.
They might be sticking to the idea that having concurrent elections might not be in line with the initial thinking on the best option to pursue.
Going for concurrent elections might be construed that PH parties are unprincipled or opportunistic.
They say one thing before and say another thing afterward. The whole point of not having concurrent elections is to drive home the point that the timing of the dissolution of Parliament was not something acceptable to the Opposition.
Going back on what was agreed would tantamount to the betrayal of trust that people have in PH.
Despite meetings at the state and national levels, no decision has been made on whether the three Opposition states would go for concurrent or state elections.
Or alternatively, an exception could be made for Penang.
As far as the Opposition is concerned, whatever the final decision, it must be based on the principle of keeping the coalition intact, striking the BN at its most vulnerable point and most importantly whether the decision is in line with Pakatan Harapan offering an alternative Government for Malaysians.
Essentially, it is about politics and how the three component parties in the Opposition can move towards a consensus. – Oct 14, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Bernama
