The loser in Selangor
PKR’s leadership in the state has never been on shakier ground
In other words, the Umno-led BN must continue to ensure that the people’s wants and needs are taken care of.
These include addressing the bread-and-butter issues that affect every Malaysian.
Political rhetoric alone is not enough. The government of the day must match its words with action.
People are now concerned with job opportunities and security of jobs, lack of affordable housing, education, healthcare, rising cost of living and high rate of street crime.
Value systems such as transparency, accountability and good governance are no doubt very important too.
But ask any one on the street. One of the most worrying issues is the rising prices of food and other main essentials. RM100 can’t fill up your supermarket trolley these days.
I asked someone the other day how much he spent on a simple lunch of rice and two dishes to take away. The response was RM7. That’s what he could afford for lunch.
There are some retirees who complain that government hospitals are short of funds to stock certain prescription drugs.
More working people now worry about their take-home salary, as costs are rising much faster than wages.
If you are single and live in KL, you need at least RM2,700 per month to survive. Many turn to doing a second job to earn an extra income.
More ominously, a recent Bank Negara survey showed more than 75 per cent of Malaysians find it difficult to even raise RM1,000 to meet emergency needs.
On Malaysians’ preparation for retirement, only 40 per cent are financially ready.
The central bank’s survey also showed that a mere six per cent of salaried Malaysians are able to sustain themselves for more than six months if they lose their jobs, the main source of their income.
The government has been pushing hard to bolster the economy, draw foreign direct investments and invest in big infrastructure projects to help create more jobs and raise income.
The private sector, too, needs to help. We can’t delegate the task of job-creation just to the public sector.
Any unnecessary red tape that hinders business must be done away with too.
THERE is supposedly a chat group involving a few architects working to isolate Pas from the mainstream opposition bloc. Among the notable names claimed to be included in the group are PKR’s vice-president Rafizi Ramli, DAP’s publicity secretary Tony Pua and Parti Amanah Negara’s (PAN) communications supremo Khalid Samad.
“Skinnies are only relayed in the group, with a few exchanges of banter and latest news that could tie in with the objective,” a source from PKR said.
Their machinations are said to be so good that through a few exertions, the outcome of a mission will be handed in by Pas; previous reports on the crumbling affairs seem to allude to this.
Some quarters are saying that the final break-up between Pas and PKR is the crowning glory of this group.
True enough, the dissolution of the pact was announced by Pas.
Rafizi and Khalid were said to be smiling with a twinkle in their respective eyes after reading Pas Syura Council secretary Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Nik Salleh’s statement, which was released on Thursday in Jalan Raja Laut.
Pua, on the other hand, could not contain his excitement.
“Hahahahahaaahahahhaaaaahhhaahaa... aaaaa ahh hh (Takes deep breath). If no political relationship, then why are you in a coalition government? Sit in opposition with Umno la. LOL,” Pua said in a Facebook jibe against Selangor Pas commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi. vested interest in ousting Pas — Rafizi gets to tick off PKR No.2 Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Pua’s plan to remove Pas for not kowtowing to DAP, and Khalid’s desire turn PAN as the Malay bloc in Pakatan Harapan.
If there is any truth to the purported machinations, such is a categorical norm in the cloak and dagger aspect of politics.
But with all intents and purposes, or whatever the objective reality is, who is now the biggest loser in this latest ruckus?
All eyes are turning to PKR in Selangor, where the blow is expected to hit the hardest, noted Professsor Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa
Ishak.
“Obviously, PKR would be the biggest loser in this scenario,” the Universiti Utara Malaysia vicechancellor said.
“There will be no more support for Pas on which PKR could be riding on. It is in danger of losing some Malay marginal seats in Selangor.”
PAN and Pakatan Harapan’s latest member, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (PPBM), may only posses nominal weight in garnering votes from rural Malays.
“It is still not clear how many Malay votes PBBM and PAN can deliver for their pact.
“But, it may not be able to compensate what is being lost from Pas.”
Mustafa’s view is not far off based on stats and figures.
Research firm Politweet is a non-partisan research firm analysing interactions among Malaysians through social media.
It said during the 13th General Election (GE13) in Selangor, Pas’s seats, on average, gained the highest support across all age groups at 54 per cent and below, with those aged between 38 and 45 topping the list.
And in an overall picture nationwide, Politweet said PKR and DAP may not perform better in rural areas without Pas’s involvement.
But, it must be noted that the research was made before the possible implementation of a redelineation exercise and formation of PPBM, whose mettle at the polls is yet to be tested.
“PKR and DAP have not had as much success winning rural seats as compared with Pas and Barisan Nasional.
“Without Pas continuing to represent (now-defunct) Pakatan Rakyat in those seats, a new coalition will have difficulties winning the 14th General Election.
“The possibility of three-cornered fights between Pas, BN and Gerakan Harapan Baru (now PAN) increases the likelihood of BN winning seats with less than 50 per cent of the vote. This could happen even in Kelantan and Terengganu, if enough Pas leaders and members leave to join the new party.”
There were reports that Azmin had to let go the Pas executive council members — Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad, Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi and Zaidy Abdul Talib — due to pressure from his colleagues in Pakatan Harapan.
Nevertheless, a little bird said moments after Nik Zawawi’s announcement, Azmin had an audience with the Sultan of Selangor and conveyed that the status quo — with regard to the Pas executive council members — would remain.
The sultan had agreed that at least until the general election, Pas would continue to be part of the administration.
Hence, Pua’s lack of know-how on the intricacies of governmentpalace relationship could have led him to overstep his boundaries concerning the ruler’s power in appointing state administrators.