I will not repeat the stand that has already been clarified by Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on matters of the Penang state government which should already be clear.

I would however like to comment on H’ng Chee Wey’s statement that he “suspects that the DAP is trying to hoodwink non-Muslims into believing that the party was acting tough with its Islamist partner”. There is no “acting tough” as H’ng would like to suggest, the DAP secretary-general is sticking to our principles as the DAP had always done. This is the spirit that Lim Kit Siang and the late great Karpal Singh had instilled in the party.

This is so unlike Gerakan which honestly, is lost for an agenda. I would like to challenge H’ng on what Gerakan’s principles are? Or have they been compromised off to Umno until there are none left.

When Gerakan first became part of the Barisan Nasional coalition, it promised to be the “opposition within the government”. Today, Gerakan is nothing but a “yes man” to Umno in pursuit of cabinet posts as well other governmental perks of being part of BN. When was the last time a Gerakan man ever stood up to Umno?

May I remind H’ng that Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong voted in favour of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Parliament without giving any protests whatsoever. Is this their idea of being an “opposition within the government”?

If Gerakan’s idea of a political coalition is the one BN currently showcases, then it is not a party that has the right to criticise the DAP because even when people ask Gerakan to stand up against Umno, it never will.

Gerakan’s idea of a coalition is one master with the other component parties being “yes men” slaves. Gerakan leaders have resigned themselves to giving up their principles and convictions for political ambition. This is a party that has lost all legitimacy and direction and should never be allowed to be in government again.

CHRIS LEE CHUN KIT os Penang Dapsy state deputy youth chief and an MBPP councillor.