GEORGE TOWN – Penang DAP has dismissed talk that its relationship with its Pakatan Harapan partner is on edge after Steven Sim issued support for PKR to defend its seats in the state, including its stronghold in Permatang Pauh.
In a statement, Sim, who is state DAP publicity secretary, said the dominant party in Penang will stand with PKR in the next general election to defend Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the state.
He was referring to a report that Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin – a former PKR member – may be eyeing the Permatang Pauh seat, whose incumbent is Nurul Izzah Anwar, daughter of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
As the head of Bukit Mertajam DAP, Sim said he will fully support PKR in defending Permatang Pauh as it is the symbol of the reform movement.
“DAP will work harder to defend and fulfil the mandate of the people of Penang who want a state that is progressive, green and caring through our Vision Penang 2030.”
He said DAP will reject parties that betrayed the people’s mandate through the infamous Sheraton Move, which triggered the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal government.
Earlier, political scientist Sivamurugan Pandian said if the rift between DAP and PKR in Penang remains, PH may stand to lose support among impartial voters.
“While each party has its core supporters, there are more fence-sitters than ever – especially with more youth voters – and they have the power to determine who survives and who falters in the next general election. These are the voters political parties need to take heed of.
“Although I think the current spat is mostly a rift among state excos, it has started to worsen as each side continues to issue rebuttals. If they are not careful, it could escalate into a crisis in PH,” he had told The Vibes. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021
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