DAP Cracks The Coalition in Perak
March 12, 2008
5 days. All it took was 5 days for the opposition coalition to show cracks, and this time, it did not even need Barisan Nasional to help them.
Today, it was announced that Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin from PAS will be named the Menteri Besar of Perak. This is even though DAP had won 18 seats, PKR 7, and PAS only 6.
The problem with the whole situation is that the Perak constitution states that only a Malay and Muslim can be named as Menteri Besar. I know. That’s pretty damn racist, but you know what, it’s in the bloody constitution and unless this is changed in the state assembly, there’s nothing DAP can do about it. Of course, the Sultan can override this constitutional rule, but then if he doesn’t, then there’s nothing DAP can do about it.
What troubles me is that right after the announcement of the Menteri Besar post, Mr. Lim Kit Siang has released the following statement through his blog:
The decision to appoint a PAS Assemblyman Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar has caused shock and consternation to DAP leaders, members and supporters.
The DAP Central Executive Committee, at its emergency meeting in Penang on Sunday, 9th March 2008, had given approval for the formation of a Perak coalition government comprising 18 DAP Assembly members, seven PKR Assemblymen and six PAS Assemblymen.
DAP is prepared to accept DAP chairman and Assemblyman for Sitiawan Ngeh Koo Ham or PKR Behrang Assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi as Perak Mentri Besar.
As the appointment of PAS Assemblyman for Pasir Panjang Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar representing the third and smallest political party in the proposed coalition has not received the mandate of the CEC, DAP Perak Assemblymen will stay away from the swearing-in ceremony for Perak Mentri Besar scheduled tomorrow.
As a DAP supporter, who has donated to the DAP elections fund, I am deeply disappointed that Lim Kit Siang has not managed to see past his differences with PAS.
I remember his ceramah on the eve of elections day. He was very careful to point out that they press were manipulating some things and painting DAP as being in bed with PAS. The previous experiences where DAP was categorically rejected in the polls for their relationship with PAS were probably still fresh in his mind.
The truth is, DAP and the opposition did not even believe they could win the state of Perak. This was why DAP did not even bother to field a Malay to contest in the state seat.
I am deeply disappointed with Lim Kit Siang’s words and actions, as this would certainly give the BN and UMNO fodder to use against the opposition coalition.
I fully support the decision to appoint Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Menteri Besar. It doesn’t matter that he is from PAS. All I want is someone who is clean and accountable for his actions. If Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin forces the people of Perak to accept Islamic law, he will fail, and fail badly. And the next elections, the people’s power will speak up and throw him out of power.
Lim Kit Siang, the DAP has to move pass being a party for Chinese, even though the party has a multi-racial ideology. What’s more important, breaking ranks with PAS, or “smashing the UMNO political hegemony” (in your own words?)
I hope that there is a turnaround in the decision tomorrow, but I bet the press is already having a field day at the moment.
Lim Kit Siang says the darndest things!
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17 Responses to “DAP Cracks The Coalition in Perak”
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[...] DAP Cracks The Coalition in Perak - 5 days. All it took was 5 days for the opposition coalition to show cracks, and this time, it did not even need Barisan Nasional to help them. [...]
March 12, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Actually, there was a change in the state constitution few years back. The Sultan can exempt the rule and appoint a Mentri Besar which is not a Malay. This was highlighted by the press, especially Chinese Press, though I don’t know where did the source came from. That’s why they were so hopeful for a Chinese Mentri Besar. Honestly speaking, I still find that the DAP candidate for MB is not up to par to be the MB. Keadilan candidate is far worse. That’s why Sultan of Perak appointed the most qualified, the PAS candidate as the MB, despite being the party with the least seats. So, I don’t see any problem there though. I agree with youy. If he’s no good, bye bye after 5 years. X’D
March 12, 2008 at 10:25 pm
perak state constitution says that the mb must be a muslim malay. so technically the mb must be from pkr or pas. however, the sultan has the power to waive this requirement but he did not.
pls note dap has the majority seat in perak, not pas.
dap did not even has an exco in kedah where pas has the majority.
bn won outstandingly in 2004 bcos of kelantan pas arrogance in 1999. sudah lupa?
i think lks did the right thing.
March 12, 2008 at 10:28 pm
oh man, why only now? why didn’t he make a noise when the candidates were chosen? Was he infected by the Sleep-All-Time illness? This really will become a joke for BN’ers now. LKS said the darn darndest thing!
March 12, 2008 at 10:31 pm
[...] DAP Cracks The Coalition in Perak - 5 days. All it took was 5 days for the opposition coalition to show cracks, and this time, it did not even need Barisan Nasional to help them. [...]
March 12, 2008 at 11:07 pm
PandanKia,
No doubt the Sultan has the power to waive this requirement. But now that the Sultan has chosen not to do so, why cry over spilt milk? It was clear that DAP didn’t even expect to be in this position, so why fight for the MB position now?
PAS certainly took note of the 2004 debacle where they were nearly slaughtered. That is why they are trying to project a more moderate image. If you look into their 2008 election manifesto, they had even toned down and did not ask for an Islamic state to be set up.
Lim Kit Siang, by this statement is undoing a single thread in the fragile fabric of the opposition coalition. Over the long term, this might unravel and put BN back in power. The people want a united opposition, not a weak opposition.
Don’t give the people no choice but to vote BN 5 years later.
March 12, 2008 at 11:16 pm
To LKS, it’s a matter of principle. This is not a crack in BR. He’s holding on to his principle that any party with the majority can pick the MB, that is democracy. But here we are having the smallest party in Perak having the MB seat. Ofcourse as a champion of democracy, this cannot be accepted. Well, LKS only say that DAP should stay away from the swearing in ceremony BUT short of saying that DAP will not work with PAS MB. See, if he really wants to destroy the BR coalition, he would have take DAP away from the BR and then BN can have Perak back but he did not!
Maybe the timing could have been better planned. anyway, i disagree that LKS said the darndest thing.
March 12, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I think DAP should read history books, from their partner in Singapore, fielded a Malay as the Yang Di Pertua Negara aka PRESIDENT but then, everything else, is run by the PAP which is a mix of Chinese Majority.
People don’t care. As long they get the job right.
That is the most important. After all, if DAP pissed the Sultan off, mind you, he might just be so MURKA as how Sultan Johor was, and sacked the whole lot, and banished 2 ministers. (REF to headline SULTAN MURKA last year)
Careful as to what you speak about His Majesty the Sultan.
azrin @ http://www.azrin.net
March 13, 2008 at 12:10 am
True, principles made the man what he is, and principles are what made him stay the course for a Malaysian Malaysia even though he has been insulted, imprisoned, and ridiculed.
But there are certainly many ways to register one’s disapproval, and it’s unfortunate that Lim Kit Siang has to register his in such a public manner.
However, I still look forward to the changes that will be ringed in by the Perak state government. Hopefully, the coalition will bring positive changes to the state. Unfortunately, this will not blow over quickly, and we can ‘depend’ on Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia to play this up.
If this is not in the headlines tomorrow, I will be surprised.
March 13, 2008 at 12:37 am
BOTTOMLINE, we need PROFESSIONALS to run the country and I’ll bet HRH Raja Nazrin did the right thing. For crying out loud, put race and religion aside and walk the talk - MALAYSIAN MALAYSIA!
March 13, 2008 at 2:32 am
[...] DAP Cracks The Coalition in Perak [...]
March 13, 2008 at 2:49 am
To add on…
Read An open letter to the DAP on Perak MB’s appointment
http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/4252/84/
And we should evolve to a Two-Party System. More at
http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/4093/84/
What say you?
March 13, 2008 at 3:22 am
aren’t the dap kids seemingly a little *ahem power hungry (the whole HANDS OFF MY FCKIN’ EXCO CHAIR)?
wasn’t this election ABOUT the people, BY and FOR the people of malaysia? o.O took them a record-breaking smashing 5 days to forget? 
they all need to kiss and make up… hold hands and drink coke/pepsi/teh tarik or something…
and stuff it with the races already; one nation, one voice–as malaysians!
March 13, 2008 at 7:52 pm
we can only hope that things will pick up for the better… whatever it is… there’s gonna be a cold war …
March 14, 2008 at 12:47 am
Uncle Lim apologizes for what he said..(http://www.limkitsiang.com). phew..
it shows one thing - the coallition is a marriage of convenience and not a full hearted one. But that’s ok … they can still develop “love” after marraige
I respect what the Sultan of Perak is doing - calling off the swearing in ceremony until they get a letter of undertaking from all assembleymen to pledge their support to the MB. looks like you have a Sultan yang bijaksana kenny.
However, Berita Harian seems to be bended the situation and said “Majlis mengangkat sumpah jawatan Menteri Besar Perak ke-10 di Istana Iskandariah di sini petang semalam, ditangguhkan ekoran bantahan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) yang kecewa dengan langkah Pas menyerahkan lapan kerusi Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri (Exco) kepada DAP. ” http://www.bharian.com.my/Current_News/BH/Friday/BeritaUtama/20080313231650/Article
So what’s the truth?
March 14, 2008 at 9:35 am
zewt,
Let’s hope they can figure out a way to share power equitably, and work towards the common goal.
wk,
I barely even know what’s the truth now. However, it is clear that there are cracks in the coalition in Perak, and all 3 parties need to really sit down and trash it out. Like you said, ‘love’ can develop after ‘marriage’
If I were the Sultan, I would have rejected the coalition as well, because they do not seem united enough.
March 14, 2008 at 12:39 pm
[...] felt, including mine, where I thought it was extremely unwise to give the impression that there was significant in-fighting within the coalition. I felt that this would only give ammunition to the government-owned media to spin this as a [...]
March 18, 2008 at 12:35 pm