DAP may take DCM 1 post as well
A proposal is being studied whereby DAP and PKR swap the DCM I and II posts in Penang
Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said it would be a welcome news for the Malay community here if DAP took both the chief minister and deputy chief minister I posts. “This is because, DAP has become the dominant party in Penang. They have control over the popular vote and have captured the imagination of the middle-class here with their populist policies.”
Free Malaysia Today
There is a possibility that Pakatan Rakyat in Penang may swap the posts of the deputy chief minister I and II, with DAP taking the number I while PKR assuming the number II.
These were among the recommendations which are being studied by Pakatan’s inner circle of strategists after a post-mortem was conducted on the present and future political electoral outcomes here.
The present deputy chief minister I is Mansor Othman, who is the Penang PKR liaison committee chairman and Penanti assemblyman while the deputy chief minister II is Prof P Ramasamy, the DAP deputy secretary-general and Prai assemblyman.
The political scenerio in Penang is simply that DAP must arrest a growing perception among the Malays and some sections of the Indians that it remains a Chinese chauvinist-based party.
Calling it the right step to consider, several strategists, who preferred not to be named due to the sensitive nature of the recommendation, said the proposal may only come alive if there is an agreement within Pakatan.
DAP contested and won all of its 19 state seats while PKR won nine and PAS one, totalling 29 out of the 40 state legislature seats.
Out of 40, another 11 are held by Umno but its Barisan Nasional coalition partners, MCA, Gerakan and MIC were wiped out here after the 2008 election.
If DAP is unable to shake-off its social stigma among the Malays here, who feel besieged under the former’s stern socio-economic policies, amid rising living costs, the election outcome would result in more Chinese in government while the Malays predominantly remaining in the opposition.
This creates an unhealthy demographic composition in Penang, Bayan Baru Gerakan division head Wong Mun Hoe said.
He attested to indications now that Penangites have revived their critical thinking mindset by wanting a credible opposition presence, meaning Pakatan may not win its desired two-thirds majority although it remains a favorite to retain the state.
This makes DAP’s role to govern Penang effectively more pressing, as it is unable to appease the diverse racial groups here, he added.
In view that DAP is now all out to wrest Malay voters by luring prominent Malay personalities including ex-Umno backbenchers, the strategists said it would be fitting that it takes the deputy chief minister I post, traditionally held by a Malay since 1990 in Penang.
Uncertainty over Rama’s future
The suggestion is now under close study by the strategists in view that the party is also embroiled in a sense of uncertainty over the fate of Ramasamy, who is supposed to face the party’s disciplinary committee over the “godfather-warlord” spat.
Although the spat was declared as over by DAP chairman Karpal Singh, who was himself earlier embroiled in it with Ramasamy, some DAP grassroots leaders here are demanding that the party proceeds with the hearing to reflect its goal to be a transparent organisation.
Nothing is forgiven by either side of the fray in Penang as the hurt is simmering, said a DAP assemblyman, who chose to be anonymous.
Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said it would be a welcome news for the Malay community here if DAP took both the chief minister and deputy chief minister I posts.
“This is because, DAP has become the dominant party in Penang. They have control over the popular vote and have captured the imagination of the middle-class here with their populist policies.”
