The war between Azmin and Guan Eng
Suzzy Khalid, The Heat
A war is brewing between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, although the two gentlemen have maintained cordial relations in public.
The DAP secretary-general and the PKR deputy president are keeping up a brave front that all is well in the opposition camp.
But the two parties seem headed for disaster if they continue to bicker nonsensically instead of focusing on governing their respective states.
It is an open secret that their different inclinations – Lim prefers Parti Amanah Negara while Azmin wants to stick to PAS – have put them and their parties at odds with one another.
Cracks in the relationship between the allies became apparent recently when their “minions” were despatched to the battle field to defend their respective leaders, while their bosses kept their “elegant silence”.
All seemed to be calm for awhile when out of the blue, DAP fired another salvo with Lim’s political secretary Wong Hon Wai warning:
“Bear in mind that despite their defiance and betrayal of trust, the CM had not taken any action against the five PKR assemblypersons who opted to abstain from voting against an Umno motion on sea reclamation at the State Legislative Assembly on Nov 20.
“They are still part of the state government. However the PKR 5 would have to work hard to rebuild the confidence they have lost from the Penang state government, after their betrayal of trust,” Wong, who is Ayer Itam assemblyman, said.
His remarks appeared like a threat to PKR, especially when the DAP has begun holding a series of ceramahs – in the name of Solidarity for Lim Kit Siang – in the constituencies held by the PKR quintet.
Whisper campaigns on their “sabotage, internal party mutiny and their alleged plan to topple” Deputy Chief Minister I Dato Rashid Hasnon are making the rounds.
Wong’s lengthy defence of Lim prompted PKR state youth wing information chief Mohd Ikhwan Nasser Mohamad Isa to express regret that DAP continues to harp on the matter when there are bigger battles to be fought.
Ikhwan said the environmental effects brought about by sea reclamation projects to the lives and livehood of Penangites are more important that this conflict between DAP and PKR.
“Focus on addressing these issues instead of harping on the PKR 5, and trying to create conflict without end with your friends in PKR,” Ikhwan told DAP.
“Celebrate diversity in opinions and actions, instead of being emotional all the time,” he added.
Lim wants the five to toe the line just as his man Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu had done when he reluctantly apologised for his “mistake” in supporting the Umno motion.
However, the five are supported by their party’s leadership who said PKR reps can vote according to their conscience in matters of public interest.
Not to be left out of the drama, Gerakan state youth secretary Ooi Zhi Yi urged Wong to stop attacking the five PKR reps.
Ooi asked Wong to stop parroting Lim by saying the five had “stabbed (Lim) in the back” when the reclamation issue has cast doubts on the transparency and trustworthiness of the Penang government.
“If Wong intends to flatter his boss, he has to do his homework and come out with more convincing reasons to accuse the five PKR reps,” Ooi added, though insisting he does not wish to meddle in the internal affairs of Pakatan Harapan.
It seems that this proxy war between the two camps and their respective cheerleaders will continue until PKR apologises for the actions of the party’s rebels, who up to now have firmly stood their ground.
Penangites would have to watch the drama unfold before their eyes although they are totally disinterested in the pillow fight between the political parties.
Penangites have not taste for proxy wars and are more interested in good governance, in better housing and transport polices, and wants an assurance that their coastal line and green hills would remain intact.
