GEORGE TOWN – It is getting complicated for Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) to repeat its success of a resounding win that it experienced in the last state election. The coalition is now confronted with the pressures of having been in government for long, having new allies once seen as enemies, and a formidable opposition front.
Already, observers have expressed doubts about the DAP-led PH in Penang replicating its success at the last election in 2018.
With the 14th legislative assembly expected to be dissolved by June for the new election to be held the following month, PH has no less than 12 weeks to formulate a winning strategy to consolidate its hold on the state.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Sivamurugan Pandian reckons that PH remains the favourite to retain the state it has held since 2008. However, they assert that the issue is whether the ruling coalition can achieve a resounding win or just a marginal one.
“PH needs a strong win in Penang, especially since it is now the federal government,” said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke recently.
But in politics, what one wishes for is a different proposition altogether from what happens on the ground, especially in a polarised environment like Malaysia.
In such a scenario, Sivamurugan said one of the main factors is the selection of candidates who can appeal to the masses, not those who tend to antagonise their electoral audience instead of winning them over.
Also, he says, there is the matter of how PH can come to terms with the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN), who are now their leading allies in the national unity government.
“How many seats can BN contest in Penang? Who would be magnanimous in conceding seats, especially in a state which has rejected BN for the longest time?”
In 1969, Penang voters opted to usher Gerakan to take over the state government. This was forced by the then-mighty party deciding to join BN in 1972.
Much later, Gerakan was forced to exit the state government due to a crushing defeat in 2008, which was repeated in the elections of 2013, 2018 and 2022. The party joined Perikatan Nasional (PN) in early 2021.
Likewise, the voters here have clung to DAP since 2008 despite the various challenges mounted previously by BN and now PN, which recently entered the fray as opposition.
Trepidation among Malay community
Another issue dogging PH is the perceived heavy inclination from the Malay heartland towards PN components, especially the Islamist outfit PAS.
James Chin, professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania, also said that it would be difficult for PH to replicate the success of 2018 and counted Malay support as among the major factors.
PH faces challenges from the Malay ground, especially among voters who are not confident of its tie-up with BN.
DAP and BN are erstwhile bitter rivals, having traded much heated and often acerbic exchanges with each other in the past.
Although they may have settled together quite well in the unity government since November last year, it will be interesting to see how much confidence voters invest in them during the upcoming polls.
Chin expects PH president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to campaign extensively in Penang.
“This may swing the fence sitters,” he said when contacted by The Vibes.
Sivamurugan also observed that PH and BN must consider these factors when selecting their candidates. This is especially so now that PN seems confident of winning 15 state constituencies which are dominated by Malay voters. The Penang Legislative Assembly has a total of 40 seats.
Question mark on long-time reps
Here, DAP is said to be struggling. It has no less than three party stalwarts within its ranks – Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, and senior state executive councillors Phee Boon Poh and Chong Eng, who are all speculated to be made to retire.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is part of the 1980s DAP alumni, together with Phee and Chong Eng. Since he is a party national vice-president, he may just escape the stigma of being associated with the three veterans.
A big question mark surrounds Ramasamy, Phee and Chong Eng, and DAP knows it can backfire when they are “surgically” removed from the state leadership.
In 2018, two veterans, Danny Law Heng Kiang and Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun, quit DAP in a huff after claiming that they were unfairly treated, while former Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik remains in the cold as he warmly tries to make a comeback.
Ramasamy has reportedly openly declared that he would like to serve for another term, but Chong Eng is keeping mum.
Phee had previously mentioned that if asked to go, the four-term assemblyman would be willing to retire.
DAP has made it a practice to inject new blood. In 2013, it retired veteran Lim Hock Seng, who stood by party founder Lim Kit Siang and his son Lim Guan Eng when they were challenged by segments of the Penang DAP leadership in the 1990s.
Perhaps a compromise can be reached with the veterans, similar to how Hock Seng was appointed to oversee the implementation of the Penang South Reclamation mega project.
Chance to renew PH
There are two schools of thought in deciding the futures of Ramasamy, Phee and Chong Eng.
By allowing the party to renew itself, especially in its bastion of Penang, DAP may avoid mistakes that its competitors, such as MCA and Gerakan, did when some leaders overstayed. It was the people who forced them out instead.
DAP’s icon Kit Siang also set an example when he chose to retire in 2018, and it became official last year when he decided to no longer participate in an electoral race.
Kit Siang is 82 years old, Ramsamy is 74, Phee 71 and Chong Eng 65.
In their three terms in the Penang government, Ramasamy brought changes to the Penang Hindu Endowment Board and turned it into an authority for Indian welfare.
Whereas Phee embarked on the highly successful no-plastic bags campaign and drew up the welfare aid programme for senior citizens, the poor, the disabled, and students. Chong Eng boldly oversaw the selection of more women in important positions.
However, these leaders have their support base and much more to contribute. A politician in his 70s still has gas in the tank.
Look at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who became prime minister at 75.
They have contributed, but in politics, anyone is indispensable. – The Vibes, March 29, 2023
