Guan Eng’s brave yet hollow threats
You are a supposedly united front that makes collective decisions. But let’s not forget that PH could not even decide on a common flag for the battle that looms ahead in Johor.
Clement Stanley, Free Malaysia Today
DAP’s Lim Guan Eng has threatened to withdraw support for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Barisan Nasional-led (BN) government should another lockdown be declared.
He says Pakatan Harapan (PH) will demand that Ismail and his administration resign if Putrajaya constantly backtracks on Covid-19 SOPs.
Brave words indeed. But unfortunately, the threat has a hollow ring to it. Because Lim must know by now that any act of bravado on the part of PH is to be taken with a pinch of salt.
PH lost their right to be taken seriously when they signed an agreement, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ismail, supporting his administration, albeit one that came with certain demands.
Out went their credibility. Out went the respect the public had for them hitherto.
The Melaka and Sarawak state elections were proof of that. The impending Johor state elections will merely serve to confirm that.
In any case, this statement should have come from the leader of the opposition, Anwar Ibrahim, or the PH presidential council itself. Not from an individual no matter what position they hold in the coalition.
You are a supposedly united front that makes collective decisions. But let’s not forget that PH could not even decide on a common flag for the battle that looms ahead in Johor.
That aside, when you are seen as an accomplice to the government, can you also be seen as being in conflict with it?
You would have done better just staying as a powerful opposition voice for the people and letting the political situation run its course.
After all, the government already has a majority, albeit a simple one. This was your chance to breathe down the necks of the government and keep it on its toes.
This check and balance power was in your hands but you let it slip by. You handed the advantage to the government on a silver platter and you lost your voice in the process.
One or two PH leaders have proudly proclaimed that by signing the MoU they had achieved two out of the three major reforms in it, including allowing those who have reached the age of 18 to vote. But if you think that will set you in good stead with the public, you’d best think again.
It is common knowledge that people will not remember the nine good things you did in your lifetime but will remember the one bad thing you did instead.
Does Lim’s threat mean anything to Ismail? You tell me. You don’t have the majority plus there is always the distinct possibility of more PH elected representatives leapfrogging over to the other side before the next general election (GE15) arrives, thereby making you an even lesser threat.
The Johor state elections will show you just how solid you are as a force to be reckoned with.
It will show you whether you still have the overwhelming support you enjoyed in the last general election (GE14).
If you still have that same overwhelming support, by all means, come out with your guns blazing.
Until such time, you’d best keep your threats to yourself. For in the end, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
