Penang PKR has welcomed the denial from DAP that it was eyeing a number of Malay-majority seats which are by convention contested by PKR.

johari kassim 180609 In the wake of the controversy, state PKR information chief Johari Kassim ( right ) called on the Pakatan Rakyat component parties to strengthen their cooperation and address the lack of consensus within the coalition.

Although the coming polls could be called as early as November - though it is not due until 2013 - political parties are busy making preparations to face one of the most challenging contests in the country's history.   

            

"There must be more frequent discussions and consensus between the Pakatan parties, which rarely meet and discuss matters," Johari told Malaysiakini.    

            

"Pakatan must step up its political cooperation.”

Johari was responding to DAP chairperson Karpal Singh, who has dismissed the call by a state committee member who urged PKR to make way for DAP in several Malay-majority seats at the upcoming general election.

zulkifli mohd noor pc 260811 02 The Gelugor MP said the statement by Penang DAP committee member Zulkifli Mohd Noor ( left ) does not reflect the views of the party's leadership and described the suggestion as “unwarranted”.

He warned DAP members who wish to contest the general election not to resort to tactics that could jeorpadise unity among Pakatan component parties.

Zulkifli made the suggestion following calls by several Malay NGOs that the community lacked representation at the state top echelon.

Only two PKR stalwarts - Deputy Chief Minister Mansor Othman and Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik Abul Kassim - are state executive members.

‘Malays not marginalised’

On the said issue, Johari said the Malays are now confident that only Pakatan can defend the rights of the community.

The Penang government has in a short period of four years put in much effort to resolve issues related to Malays and Muslims, he added.

NONE "This is proven by the frequent visits of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Mansor to the various mosques for buka puasa (breaking of fast) and to hand over aid to the Malay poor," he said.

"We have also never marginalised those with different political affiliations in terms of awarding state government contracts to the Malay contractors," he added.

He stressed that the contracts are awarded based on merit, adding that it was unlike the past where only well-connected contractors would be given the job or any financial aid.

"If we were given a bigger mandate and manage to take over Putrajaya, surely all the rakyat would be taken care of, regardless of their ethnic or political background," Johari said.