GEORGE TOWN – Warisan’s newly launched Penang chapter is banking on expectations of Pakatan Harapan (PH) losing some seats in the state in the upcoming general election.
This is especially so in light of voters upset over how the coalition has handled itself after losing its grip on federal power in early 2020, said the party’s state coordinator Max Goh Choon Keong.
He pointed out that PH had decided to “flirt” with its rivals, not once but twice, in a bid to recapture the federal government, showing that they are unprincipled and only interested in power.
“They decided to work with the same political bloc they had despised since 2008,” he said, referring to Barisan Nasional (BN).
Secondly, he claimed that there is unrelenting politicking within the coalition – especially in PKR – that has just turned people off.
Goh, a former Penang DAP assistant organising secretary, said that he is disgusted that PH, especially DAP, decided to compromise on their principles, especially in inking a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ruling BN-led federal government on the back of the Covid -19 pandemic last year.
“I think we could have done with a credible opposition during the pandemic for check and balance. Instead, PH chose to ink an MoU. Therefore, I quit the party,” he said.
Goh left together with state DAP administrator Martin Lim, former four-term Batu Lanchang assemblyman Datuk Danny Law Heng Kiang and former two-term Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun, as well as a few other DAP members to spearhead Warisan in Penang.
In early April, Umno announced that it is affirming its decision to cease cooperation with the opposition beyond July 31, as decided during the party’s general assembly recently.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke then said the agreement is between the government and Pakatan Harapan (PH), and not with Umno’s top brass.
PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has since said that the opposition coalition is still open to extending the MoU with the government, despite Umno’s insistence that it would expire on July 31 this year.
Goh claimed that voters are having a “deja vu” feeling of hopelessness.
“I think voters are quite displeased with everything which has unfolded since the Sheraton backdoor move to replace the PH government. Now, BN is back in power,” he said.
Goh said that for some voters, it does not make any difference to them whether it is BN or PH, hence this is where the third option comes in.
Even though Warisan is relatively new, Goh told The Vibes that the party can win over support if it provides what the voters want – which is more work and less politicking.
“We need to find jobs for those who need it. Not the type of jobs which mean you need to work two or three other jobs to survive but quality ones.”
“If we strike the right chords, we can reach out to the voters. But we are relatively new so there is much catch up to do,” said Goh.
Political observers here believe that a small swing of support towards other blocs coupled with low voter turnout would harm PH’s prospects in Penang – although they are sceptical that support would swing away from Penang DAP.
The top party leaders such as DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and vice-president Chow Kon Yeow, who is Penang chief minister, have a strong following here, but PKR has witnessed several defections from the party.
The defection of two previous deputy chief ministers from PKR, Datuk Mansor Othman and Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Hasnon, exposed how fragile the party is in Penang, said the observers. – The Vibes, May 3, 2022
