Picture: The Star
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat is now in “unchartered waters” after PAS’ decision to sever all ties and stop all political cooperation with DAP, said Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (pic).
“The only thing certain under such circumstances is that nothing can or will be the same again,” said Pua in a statement on Monday.
Pua questioned what type of political realignment will take place to allow a new coalition government to remain in power in Selangor.
He said that Pakatan Rakyat comprises of three political parties who follow a common policy platform, which is now breached.
The coalition “naturally collapses” when one party stops cooperating with another within the coalition.
“How does the government function, when the state executive councillors (exco) of PAS refuses to cooperate with the exco from DAP,” questioned Pua.
“Can one even imagine how surreal the state exco meeting will be, with the PAS exco ignoring the DAP excos or pretending that they don’t exist?
“Will PAS local councillors for example, pay no heed to all comments, suggestions and proposals by DAP local councillors when carrying out their responsibilities at the local government level,” he asked.
Pua said that because of PAS and DAP’s strained relationship, it will never be “business as usual” again.
Echoing the words of another DAP colleague, Liew Chin Tong, there is now a “vacuum” in the moderate and progressive Malay political space, with PAS swerving towards the far-right during its recent muktamar.
He predicts that in the weeks and months to come, there will be leaders to “fill the vacuum” and see major political realignments in Malaysian politics.
However, Pua said the failure of this gap to be filled may lead to a collapse of the Selangor state government and for elections to be called.
While Kelantan, Penang and Selangor are all run by Pakatan state governments, PAS has more than enough seats to administer Kelantan by itself, while DAP occupies a similar position in Penang. The Selangor government however is dependent on the participation of all three parties.
Source: The Star
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