DAP suspiciously quiet over Opposition unity against 1MDB PM Najib

DAP suspiciously quiet over Opposition unity against 1MDB PM Najib

Has anyone wondered how suspicious the DAP has remained quiet over the need for the Opposition parties to unite against the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Prime Minister Najib Razak Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election?

This has happened after his son, DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minster Lim Guan Eng was charged with corruption over the purchase of a bungalow. (Read these for context: http://victorlim2016.blogspot.my/2016/10/malaysian-opposition-parties-losing.html, http://victorlim2016.blogspot.my/2016/09/1mdb-pm-najib-proving-to-be-more-master.html, and http://victorlim2016.blogspot.my/2016/09/dap-to-plunge-into-leadership-dilemma.html)

It is common knowledge that political leaders and parties are still engaged in discreet horse-trading in the run-up to the next general election (GE) or GE14 to forge new alliances, and this includes the DAP.

Like what No News Is Bad News has asserted in the past two months, Malaysian politicians embrace the policy of “no permanent friends and no permanent enemies” in politics, and success and power depends on making the impossible possible.

So, the only logical reason why the DAP is relatively “docile” is because it is just waiting for the right time to make its move.

And the right time is when PAS decides whether it wants to work with Umno or Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi)-PKR.

As the Chinese-dominated multi-racial DAP cannot afford to annoy its supporters and voters, it cannot be seen working with the Islamist PAS which is fighting for the implementation of Hukum Hudud (Islamic criminal law).

So, the DAP is just keeping its political-alliance options open, waiting for PAS to make its decision.The DAP is then expected to announce its alliance, of course together with the PAS-splinter of moderates, Amanah.

However, No News Is Bad News believes that if PAS decides to work with Pribumi-PKR, then DAP-Amanah would then discreetly work with BN and then join BN or a new BN coalition.

Where does that put MCA, MIC and Gerakan in seat allocations? They will probably get to re-contest in those seats that they are now holding, and that’s all.

Why? Because DAP is much stronger than any of the three long-time lackey parties of Umno. Thus, the DAP is much more valuable politically than the MCA-MIC-Gerakan combined force.

Alternatively, the three lackeys can leave the BN but we doubt they have the political courage to do it. They are already politically irrelevant to Malaysians.

So, DAP veteran supremo Lim Kit Siang, your game is up. You cannot continue to fool Malaysians with your “hot gas” talking.

Read this Malay Mail report, as re-posted by the Malaysian-banned Malaysia Chronicle, to see what we mean:

"STOP TALKING HOT GAS, KIT SIANG & CO: AGREEMENT ON ONE-ON-ONE SEATS CONTEST MORE VITAL THAN COMMON POLICIES – PUNDITS

Politics | October 5, 2016 by | 0 Comments

KUALA LUMPUR – Forming a viable electoral pact is more important for the proposed “grand coalition” of opposition parties rather than a common policy framework, analysts have said.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang recently said that the common policy framework of the former Pakatan Rakyat can be the basis for the new grand coalition, but analysts believe in order for the coalition to function, issues such as straight fights and seat distribution needs to be addressed first.



“I would say take it one step at a time. They will have to look at seat distribution, ensuring straight fights. If they even manage to have an electoral pact in place before the next elections, that is a feat,” said Dr Faisal Hazis, associate professor at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Faisal said that having a common platform is “important” for the grand coalition but finer issues such as the determination of leadership can be ironed out after the elections.

Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said that having a common policy is not imperative to electoral performances, as evidenced by the 2008 general elections, as the opposition parties went into the elections without a common policy.

“In the 2008 elections, Pakatan Rakyat performed quite well and they did not have a common policy then. So it is all up to the rakyat. But it is not necessary to have a common policy in place before elections, they can go to elections without a common policy,” he said.

But he said crucial “universal values” must be agreed upon, and seat distribution also must be sorted.

“The important part is to ensure straight fights. Of course, without straight fights, it is going to be impossible,” he said.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s Dr Jeniri Amir also had a similar view, emphasising on seat distribution among the parties.

He also said that PAS should also be included in the discussion if the Opposition was serious in taking on BN.
“If you cannot decide on this, then it is no point forming any framework because at the end, it boils down to seat allocations among parties.

“Second is the opposition needs PAS because the party serves as the determinant on whether the opposition or “grand coalition” can win against BN,” he said.

PAS, Jeniri said will definitely trigger three-cornered fights if it contested on its own with Parti Ikatan Bangsa (Ikatan) under the Gagasan Sejahtera coalition.

This, he added will result in a victory for BN.

“If the opposition can decide on seat allocations, then the next topic to discuss on will be the framework to ensure all parties sing the same tune,” he added.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) pro-tem president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently said that he hopes that the grand coalition can be formed by the end of the year.
– Malay Mail"