Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

DAP vs PKR vs BN In Ipoh Timur To Become Reality?

January 26, 2008

Barely an hour after I blogged about PKR And DAP Seat Talks In Perak Still Pending An Outcome, Malaysiakini comes up with a news report that speculated on a three-way battle in Ipoh Timur.

I had previously written that the two opposition parties should focus on denying BN a 2/3rd majority, and make their seat allocations based on which party would fare best in each constituency. I proposed a simple solution that both parties gather the results from the last general election in 2004 and for those fights between DAP and PKR, measure who won the most votes at that time, then let that be the sole opposition candidate for that constituency. This would mean that Lim Kit Siang should not have to face both an opposition candidate from PKR and a BN candidate.

As reported in Malaysiakini:

PKR veep Dr Lee Boon Chye told Malaysiakini today that “if his party and DAP are unable to reach a compromise on seat allocation in Perak, then we are prepared for three-cornered fights, including in Ipoh Timur”.

“If there is no settlement, it’s a free-for-all scenario. PKR is free to contest any seat in the state even if it means slugging it out against DAP and BN,” Lee declared.

Asked why the two parties were unable to come to a settlement, the PKR vice-president declined to comment.

However, it is an open secret that PKR has several non-Malay candidates who are keen to contest in Chinese-majority seats in Perak. But DAP feels this is encroaching on its traditional territory.

In 2004, Lee was also eyeing Ipoh Timur but following DAP’s insistence to field Kit Siang there, PKR gave way and Lee went to Gopeng instead. Kit Siang won and Lee was defeated.

This time around, PKR feels that DAP should return the favour by giving way to Lee to vie in Ipoh Timur.

First of all, I find that it is extremely unprofessional for Lee Boon Chye to make such a declaration of bravado when the talks are still ongoing. Perhaps a better way is to shut up and keep working on a compromise. I don’t know what political points are to be scored here, but I don’t think Lee Boon Chye would have scored much (maybe lose points even).

I know that there are many ways to negotiation, and some tactics do work well. Trust me, Lee Boon Chye, this tactic of making public declarations with such confidence does not work. What are you going to say if you are actually challenged to take on DAP in Ipoh Timur? Think about it. BN has already done much via the Election Commission in transferring a whole bunch of voters and also postal votes to undermine the opposition’s efforts to keep the Ipoh Timur seat. What PKR is doing now is just like adding salt to the wound. Why would you want to do that, instead of focusing on denying the 2/3rd majority?

If PKR’s prediction came true, and it was down to a 3-way fight for the Ipoh Timur parliament seat between Lim Kit Siang, PKR, and BN, then I will have to take sides. I will be the first one to throw my support to the candidate that has the most experience, and has been the most vocal opposition leader for the past few decades. And PKR, the party has been around for much less, so you know who I’m for.

I sincerely hope that a solution comes up in Perak, because if they don’t, the only winner is BN. The people of Perak, DAP, and PKR will be the biggest losers. If you’re voting in Ipoh Timur, tell me what you think of this whole saga.

Lee Boon Chye says the darndest things!
And Lee Boon Chye, you are the first person from the Opposition to have this ‘honor’, and you thoroughly deserved it.

You Might Find These Interesting

• PKR And DAP Seat Talks In Perak Still Pending An Outcome
• Answers Regarding Ipoh Timur
• Kicking the Wrong Horse In The Ass
• Hanky Panky In Ipoh Timur
• Bring Fong Po Kuan Back To Parliament!

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