We have so little faith in our judicial system that DAP seems resigned to the fate of Chief Minister being jailed as a result of his purchase of a house below market value. DAP had even considered having a snap election to prove they still have the people's support despite the corruption charges.
Personally, I feel it is difficult to convince people that the snap election proposal has nothing to do with YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng's case. We can theorise that it is good strategy now than wait for GE14, and that we should decide when to have the state election instead of leaving to BN. Elections cost money to the political parties, as well as to the voters. Even to those living within the state, it needs time off as well as travelling cost to vote. What about those working or living in other states or overseas? Most people feel their one vote is unlikely to make a difference, so it is likely they might decide not to take the trouble. On the other hand, BN offers 'buy' election goodies in the form of cash and in kind. To those open to persuasion, a few hundred Ringgit in the pocket is better than promises of good governance, which may or may happen, and might even take years.
We have seen how PKR's Kajang move to have Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim become Menteri Besar of Selangor was scuttled by the court's verdict which sent him to jail instead. Dr Wan Azizah had to take his place as candidate and her victory did not see her become the new MB. Many people complained about the strategy which involved having a sitting ADUN resign to make it possible. There were no shortage of brickbats for having a perceived unnecessary by-election. Just imagine the people's dismay at DAP's proposal to have a snap state election! PKR was reluctant to join in and DAP had decided to put off the proposal. To me, good sense prevailed, as the strategy might backfire a la David Cameron's Brexit referendum.
On the topic of who should succeed Lim Guan Eng as CM of Penang, some Indians asked why not Dr P Ramasamy since he is the present DCM? As my wife used to say, 'How can we not be racial in Malaysia?' So when it comes to high positions of office, race matters. I would say having Dr P Ramasamy as DCM is already a big concession by DAP, in view of the small number of Indian DAP ADUNs. Based on the last election results, there are only 4, and if we were to include the one from PKR, only 5.
Penang state assembly has 40 seats and based on GE13 results, DAP has 19, PKR 10, PAS 1, and BN 10, ADUNs. Based on race, there are 19 Chinese (DAP 15 and PKR 4); 16 Malays (BN 10, PKR 5 and PAS 1); and 5 Indians.
Unless the appointments can be solely based on merit and not political, race will always be an important factor. In this case, being DCM does not mean automatic promotion to CM. We have seen a few DPMs being sacked in Umno, a case of so near yet so far. Hypothetically, it is like having a Chinese as DPM, but never expect him to ever be PM of Malaysia.
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Personally, I feel it is difficult to convince people that the snap election proposal has nothing to do with YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng's case. We can theorise that it is good strategy now than wait for GE14, and that we should decide when to have the state election instead of leaving to BN. Elections cost money to the political parties, as well as to the voters. Even to those living within the state, it needs time off as well as travelling cost to vote. What about those working or living in other states or overseas? Most people feel their one vote is unlikely to make a difference, so it is likely they might decide not to take the trouble. On the other hand, BN offers 'buy' election goodies in the form of cash and in kind. To those open to persuasion, a few hundred Ringgit in the pocket is better than promises of good governance, which may or may happen, and might even take years.
We have seen how PKR's Kajang move to have Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim become Menteri Besar of Selangor was scuttled by the court's verdict which sent him to jail instead. Dr Wan Azizah had to take his place as candidate and her victory did not see her become the new MB. Many people complained about the strategy which involved having a sitting ADUN resign to make it possible. There were no shortage of brickbats for having a perceived unnecessary by-election. Just imagine the people's dismay at DAP's proposal to have a snap state election! PKR was reluctant to join in and DAP had decided to put off the proposal. To me, good sense prevailed, as the strategy might backfire a la David Cameron's Brexit referendum.
On the topic of who should succeed Lim Guan Eng as CM of Penang, some Indians asked why not Dr P Ramasamy since he is the present DCM? As my wife used to say, 'How can we not be racial in Malaysia?' So when it comes to high positions of office, race matters. I would say having Dr P Ramasamy as DCM is already a big concession by DAP, in view of the small number of Indian DAP ADUNs. Based on the last election results, there are only 4, and if we were to include the one from PKR, only 5.
Penang state assembly has 40 seats and based on GE13 results, DAP has 19, PKR 10, PAS 1, and BN 10, ADUNs. Based on race, there are 19 Chinese (DAP 15 and PKR 4); 16 Malays (BN 10, PKR 5 and PAS 1); and 5 Indians.
Unless the appointments can be solely based on merit and not political, race will always be an important factor. In this case, being DCM does not mean automatic promotion to CM. We have seen a few DPMs being sacked in Umno, a case of so near yet so far. Hypothetically, it is like having a Chinese as DPM, but never expect him to ever be PM of Malaysia.
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