COMMENT Why there is a proposal on the part of DAP to hold snap elections in Penang, much ahead of the coming general election in the country?

Are the polls predicated on the need to save Penang’s chief minister from being prosecuted for corruption or the polls are intended to kick-start the flagging opposition in the country?

Yes, the imperative to hold snap polls would not have come about if Lim Guan Eng had not been charged on two counts of corruption. But the proposal to hold the snap polls has larger objectives, objectives that go beyond Guan Eng.

In this respect, the issue of Guan Eng is a mere catalyst for the snap polls. They cannot save Guan Eng from being prosecuted and perhaps being found guilty.

Guan Eng is crystal clear about the intention of the snap polls. It is not about saving him from political prosecution. In the words of the British Victorian poet, Shakespeare, the BN government wants its ‘pound of flesh’ from Guan Eng.

The stage has been set to render Guan Eng politically ‘irrelevant’ as was in the case of Anwar Ibrahim.

Having the polls is not a foregone conclusion as consent from the Pakatan Harapan members and the governor of Penang must be sought and obtained. For the moment, DAP is ready, but it will not proceed without consent, consensus and consultation.

First, having snap polls is not a political aberration as has been made out to be. It is not about saving Guan Eng, but rather using his issue of political persecution to strengthen the opposition that has been rendered weak over the past few years. More so, they are about whether the opposition wants to adopt an offensive or defensive stand vis-à-vis the BN.

Second, snap polls might be good idea of showing to the Malaysians the kind of ‘dirty politics’ perpetrated by the BN forces. Rather than waiting for the next general election to come on the terms set by the BN, it is better to have the snap polls, especially at a time, when sentiments against the BN are high. In other words, Pakatan Harapan has to strike when the ‘iron is hot’.

Third, the snap polls are not about saving Guan Eng but convincing Malaysians that there is future for the opposition in the country. Thus, if the snap polls provide a significant victory to the Pakatan Harapan, then there is possibility that all the negativity about Malaysia and the way it is governed can be mitigated to some extent. This will reassure Malaysians that there is a real possibility that Putrajaya might not remain in the hands of Umno/BN for long.

Fourth, if Pakatan Harapan can gain a significant victory in the snap polls, this will provide some reassurance particularly those who have placed their trust in the opposition that Umno/BN is not invincible and that Putrajaya can still be captured. This will provide much confidence to those Malaysians who are thinking of migrating to other countries.

Fifth, snap polls might provide an opportunity for Penangites to take a decisive stand against the BN for undermining a popularly elected government headed by Guan Eng. By voting against the BN, the voters would be able to tell the BN that they firmly believe that charges against Guan Eng are politically motivated.

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.