The biggest event this week in Malaysia has to be the first Pakatan Rakyat Convention. It is good that Pakatan Rakyat is taking steps to institutionalize its cooperation. Despite that, there are a few issues that may appear to be a betrayal to democratic values that it claims to uphold. One is its commitment to local election, which seems to be wavering at the moment.[1] Second, which I want to touch briefly here, is the demand of DAP to rotate the top post of Pakatan Rakyat among the three parties in the coalition.[2]
When some members of PKR allegedly suggested that the position of Chief Minister for the state of Penang be rotated back in September this year, that suggestion was rightly criticized though the venom is uncalled for. One of the accusations thrown at those who allegedly made that proposal was that the proposers were “power crazy”.[3][4] Never mind the reality that all political parties are interested in power in one way or another, again, the suggestion, if it is true that it was made, should be shot down.
The principle of rotation goes against the spirit of democracy. Granted, given the system used in Malaysia for public office like the Chief Ministership, is not directly elected but surely it is only fair for the majority to hold the top post. This admittedly discounts what happened in Perak where there are real and unfair obstacles in letting the majority hold the top post.
DAP was visibly most vocal voicing out against that suggestion for the reason. This is understandably because it is the incumbent as well as the majority power within Pakatan Rakyat in Penang.
This demand by DAP, suggestion or whatever one wants to call it, should not be seen in different light to the call for rotation in Penang. It is the same principle.
Given this, to have DAP to repeat the argument for Pakatan Rakyat’s top post is hypocritical, whatever way one sees it. Would this mean DAP is “power crazy” too?
The better way to decide this is to have internal election for that post. Would this not be truer to democratic values? Of DAP really cannot win in an election and afraid of democracy?
[1] — KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) democratic ideals will be tested at this Saturday’s convention which is being held to produce a common platform as all three component parties remain divided over local council elections. [Pakatan divided ahead of convention. Syed Jaymal Zahiid. The Malaysian Insider. December 16 2009]
[2] — KUALA LUMPUR, Dis 18 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) kemungkinan menggunakan sistem giliran jawatan ketua menerajui ikatan itu sebaik sahaja pendaftarannya diluluskan pihak berkuasa.
Timbalan Pengerusi DAP Kebangsaan Dr Tan Seng Giaw berkata kemungkinan itu boleh ditimbangkan oleh PR bagi menampakkan yang ia berbeza dari Barisan Nasional (BN). [DAP mahukan sistem giliran ketua Pakatan. G. Manimaran. The Malaysian Insider. December 18 2009]
[3] — PENANG, Sept 29 — The proposal by Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth that the Chief Minister’s post be rotated between parties in Pakatan Rakyat has been criticised by Penang DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY). [DAPSY raps Penang PKR Youth over call to rotate CM’s post. Bernama via The Malaysian Insider. September 29 2009]
[4] — GEORGE TOWN: Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief and Balik Pulau MP Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff has denied a newspaper report on Sept 29 which quoted him as saying that the Penang chief minister’s post should be rotated. [Yusmadi denies making Penang CM rotation statement. The Edge. September 30 2009]
