YOURSAY | ‘At a time when they need to work together, they’re bickering over seats.’

Let's move on from S'wak clashes, says Nurul Izzah

Kim Quek: I see many readers make strong comments without knowing what actually had transpired in the protracted seat negotiations between DAP and PKR. It is not wise to go into details at this stage as that would worsen the animosities.

Quarrels of this nature is common in all elections everywhere, and to tell the truth, such frictions are a lot worse among BN parties in Sarawak.

Keep our eyes on the big picture, zero-in on our target which is the corrupt BN - including Sarawak BN - and make extra efforts to maintain camaraderie among component parties, at least over constituencies that are free of such overlapping candidates.

We can’t afford to lose any more time.

Proarte: I think Pakatan Harapan is inherently doomed because the three-party structure implies a divided society coming together on compromise. This is the BN formula that has proven disastrous, and it is about time the nation is offered a new paradigm.

Let us iron out exactly what the philosophical differences between the three parties that set them apart are. If there are irreconcilable differences, then they have no business being part of a coalition as this smacks of crass and short-term opportunism which will always lead to a dead end politically.

An opposition coalition in a multi-religious and multiracial nation has to be unashamedly secular with a commitment to international and modern norms of justice and human rights.

If Amanah and PKR cannot support secularism and equality of each citizen then they cannot be part of an opposition movement that wants a new paradigm based on modern democratic ideals.

I totally disagree with Kim Quek. On the contrary, it would be a very wise thing to know the details of why the rakyat have been betrayed by an unstable coalition of unhappy bedfellows who give a lie to the notion of Pakatan Harapan unity.

There can be no 'big picture' if there is deceit, treachery and political sabotage. What hope in hell does Pakatan Harapan have of making inroads into Sarawak if they are sabotaging each other?

Isn't it better to go it alone so that the individual strengths and support of each component party can be determined finally so that no party is accused of having a free lunch?

Aries46: Kim Quek, if our opposition political parties calling themselves Pakatan Harapan cannot get their act together and are openly quarreling and back stabbing each other, how do you expect the voters to have faith and be focused on the bigger issues?

The electorate is only human, and elections that determine their future are close to their hearts. No voter worth his salt will tolerate the so-called leaders that throw the spanner into their aspirations merely for their greed, arrogance and ego.

In addition, these are the politicians who claim the higher moral ground in fighting the decadent Munoz-BN outfit. Having destroyed Pakatan Rakyat, the same parties are at it in Pakatan Harapan.

Alan: PKR deputy president Amen Ali is the one who's responsible for the problem.

He signed the first agreement with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to let go those five seats to DAP and then he gave authority to Sarawak PKR to field candidates in those five seats.

Ace: Indeed, even if you had worked very hard in those five constituencies, when your leader gives his/her word, you have to honor it. There must be give and take.

If you agree and don't honor later, what is the purpose of negotiating and agreeing? There obviously was a mutiny somewhere and the leader should discipline the mutineers, otherwise there will be a more serious revolt and the party will just not be able to function.

Squashes: PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, no way we could simply "move on".

We spend a lot of time telling the Sarawakian folks that what happens in the peninsula, would also end up affecting Sarawak. That there is no way that Sarawak can stay insulated from all things peninsula.

The same logic, I believe, would also apply when it comes to Pakatan Harapan politics; whatever falling out that is happening in Sarawak, between PKR and DAP, would eventually bowl over to the realm of peninsula politics. There's no escaping it.

Prudent: Yes, there can be no 'putting aside' even after the election. The backstab in Sarawak has exposed the PKR-DAP alliance as unviable and untrustworthy.

Unless the heads of those responsible for the backstab rolls, public trust in PKR-DAP cooperation will not be restored and DAP is much better off going it alone in GE14.

But how will PKR rein in Azmin, the PAS-Umno Trojan horse? PKR's survival depends on gutting out Azmin smoothly and cleanly without losing the Selangor state government.

Sweet Mango: Nurul is smart enough to realise the importance of moving on and settle matters after the election. But the trained pit bulls of the DAP in this thread reluctantly don't want to let go. That, in itself, says a lot.

Jbsuara: It is obvious from the voters' point of view who is responsible for the clashes. But if the clashes are not settled in the Sarawak election here and now, further open clashes and defiance by local/state leaders in future will derail whatever strategy and plan that the central Pakatan leadership has for the next GE14.

Pakatan Harapan can then forget about defeating BN in the coming GE14 despite obvious weakening of Umno-BN since the last GE.

The central leadership should take decisive and urgent steps now to solve these unnecessary clashes and face the real enemy with a united stand.

Lamborghini: If fundamental issues are not resolved, there is nothing to move on to. At a time when Pakistan partners need to work together, they are bickering over seats.

Not yet in power, you are already squabbling. How to govern together if you come to power?

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