Pakatan Rakyat still exists. Phoon Wing Keong: Three parties did not withdraw

Sin Chew Daily

Political commentator Phoon Wing Keong is of the view that despite Penang Chief Minister cum DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announces “Pakatan Rakyat no longer exists” on his own, this does not mean Pakatan Rakyat no longer exists.

“Until now not a single party under Pakatan Rakyat announces withdrawing from Pakatan Rakyat. Even if DAP withdraws from Pakatan Rakyat, the other two parties are still in Pakatan Rakyat. The difference is one is set up after 308 and now Pakatan Rakyat with a different face.

In his interview with Sin Chew Daily, Phoon estimates that the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government would remain its status quo as the Selangor DAP would not withdraw from Pakatan Rakyat or they lose many resources. Selangor PKR would not be leaving Pakatan Rakyat too while PAS also did not say it will be withdrawing from Pakatan Rakyat. Although Lim Guan Eng says Pakatan Rakyat no longer exists, this would not affect the political scenario in Selangor in short term.

Phoon said current scenario is a chance for Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali to deliver. If Azmin has greater political capabilities, he should be able to play a greater role when Pakatan Rakyat is in a difficult position, playing the mediator role among three parties, to replace Anwar as the common leader.

On whether PAS and Umno would collaborate as speculated by various parties, Phoon is of the view that if PAS and Umno were to collaborate, it would be a dead end. This is not only because constituencies and voters of two parties are overlapping but Umno actually does not have any intention to collaborate with PAS as the collaboration has no political gain to Umno.

“Umno has no intention to share resources (Malay constituencies) with PAS. Even if two parties are working together, PAS is unable to extend its political territory but shrink instead. “

Ho Khai Leong: Pakatan Rakyat has not actually cracked

At the same time, political analyst Dr Ho Khai Leong is of the view that Pakatan Rakyat has not actually cracked although DAP and PAS can no longer work together on some political issues.

“DAP and PAS actually have split views on some issues but organisation wise, they are still maintaining collaboration ties in ruling Selangor.”

He said: “There is a difference between split views on issues and unable to co-operate in government. Although Lim Guan Eng says Pakatan Rakyat no longer exists, but collaboration ties may still be there.”

“PKR at this point plays an important role. The most important thing would be retaining DAP in Selangor Pakatan Rakyat, maintaining the collaboration ties of three political parties. If it has to choose, judging from PKR’s weak inclination to Islam, it should opt to work with DAP. The Chinese votes of DAP and the Malay votes of PKR would be more than collaborating with PAS.

Dr Ho also predicts that judging from three political parties as their ties have worsen, it splits to become a conservative Islamic front and the other is secular front. This is disappointing for democratic progress in Malaysia.

Original Source: “民联非不存在“
潘永强 ： 3 党没说退出