THE current Federal unity government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is gaining acceptance and support from the rakyat.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this in response to questions raised by reporters after launching the Ancom Crop Care Penang Scholarship Programme for Penang Students at St Giles The Wembley Hotel today.
He said the people have the opportunity to assess the unity government’s performance after it has administered the country for over 100 days.
“Given that the unity government is gaining acceptance and support, the next two months will be critical in the run-up to the state elections. We will continue to send this message that the unity government is the way forward.
“The message that the unity government, in particular Pakatan Harapan, wants to send to the electorate is that the future (of Malaysia) lies with PH and the unity government.
“Most important is the hope that PH provides, especially under the 10th Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“We’re on the right track and this will also become our strongest campaign point.
“We are bringing hope to the people for a change and let us be a part of this change for a better Malaysia.
“We believe from opinion polls that after 100 days, two-thirds of the respondents are for the unity government,” Chow said.
Chow added that the Penang electorate could take the last five years or the last 15 years since its state administration as a yardstick for assessing its performances.
“We have shown last year that we have almost fulfilled all the pledges even before the 15th General Election,” he said.
Asked about a comment by Umno Supreme Council member Nur Jazlan that Umno’s link to DAP in the unity coalition has caused its Malay support to shift to Perikatan Nasional (PN), Chow said Umno has lost badly before even working with the DAP.
“The comment does not hold water at all. We’ve not been working with Umno until the formation of the unity government.
“So, to blame DAP for the loss of Malay support, from a dominant party in the country to a party that has only 20 over seats, has nothing to do with DAP.
“Who knows with the collaboration now, both parties will benefit from the collaboration to strengthen the unity government and ensure all coalition members will be able to improve on their electoral prospects, including Umno.”
Asked whether the Umno push for a royal pardon for Datuk Seri Najib Razak would affect non-Malay support for PH, Chow said the move has nothing to do with PH or any party in the PH.
He said any application for the pardon must be made by the convict, and after that, any political party can lobby or campaign.
“It has nothing to do with PH; let the due process take its place. It is too early. Not sure whether the application has been submitted, so we do not know. It is something premature for us to comment.
“Of course, any further effort in this matter would raise the concern of our supporters as well.”
On the remark by Permatang Pauh Umno chief Zaidi Said that Umno is eyeing one of the state seats in Permatang Pauh in addition to defending its two state seats in Sungai Dua and Permatang Berangan in the forthcoming state election, Chow said seat negotiation must be based on the agreed principle that all seats would go back to the incumbent party.
Chow said the principle was reiterated by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke after the DAP held its central executive committee meeting yesterday.
“With that, all states participating in the forthcoming state elections will have to use this principle to begin the negotiation. Umno, definitely at this moment in Penang, has two incumbent seats.
“Based on this principle, we will not request their seats. And likewise, it must be reciprocated. Maybe those seats belonging to PN can be negotiated. Those seats that were not won by the PH at the previous elections may be open for discussion,” Chow said.