Story by Amanda Khong
Democratic Action Party (DAP) will not go on with their proposal to dissolve the Penang State assembly and conduct a state general election.
Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng announced the decision during a press conference held on July 31 at Komtar.
Also present during the press conference were Penang DAP Chairman, Chow Kon Yeow with other Penang DAP state leaders.
“This decision was made following quick consultation with party leaders and the Penang state leadership after PKR Deputy President and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali informed me yesterday, that the PKR leadership did not agree with having early polls,” said Lim.
Azmin, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice-President Nurul Izzah and PKR National Elections Director Saifudin Nasution had earlier met with Lim and Penang State Chairperson for DAP, Chow in Penang on July 20, to listen to their reasons for a state general election.
“We had explained that it would be be a pro-active strategy not just to let the people decide, whether I should continue as Penang Chief Minister whilst facing the trumped-up corruption allegations against me, but more importantly to pass a verdict on the historic act by the US Attorney-General, of seeking a seizure of US1 billion of assets stolen by 1MDB from Malaysians,” added Lim.
Lim also said that it was not wrong to return the mandate back to the people because this was part and parcel of democracy.
“This is to show that we do not fear to return the mandate back to the people to decide on the latest exposes of the 1MDB scandal as well as the authority, credibility and legitimacy of the Penang state government led by me, is the correct strategy when Barisan Nasional (BN) opposed the holding of state general election,” stressed Lim
During that meeting on July 20, PKR raised concerns about the state general elections was about the risks of losing more seats than DAP.
It was proposed by PKR that DAP give up one or two of their existing state seats in Penang to PKR to make the proposal more acceptable to the PKR leadership but Lim stated that it was unlikely to happen.
Hence, following the disagreement of PKR to a state general election, DAP will not proceed with proposals for a state general election.
Lim stressed on the importance of a collective consultative process and display trustworthiness as a basis towards forging a strong coalition in Pakatan Harapan.
“Even though Amanah had agreed with DAP, we had announced that DAP will not make such a decision unilaterally but through a consensus of all 3 parties within Pakatan Harapan. Unlike BN who are kleptocrats, DAP leaders are democrats who seek to build and reinforce mutual trust,” said Lim.
Lim ended the press conference by stressing that this is the mutual decision made after much discussion and that they will no longer push for a snap poll in Penang.