YOURSAY 'Now that he has withdrawn from the Kota Laksamana seat, he runs the risk of losing even the Kota Melaka seat in the elections.'

DAP's Sim withdraws from Kota Laksamana contest

your say Cantabrigian: It is most unfortunate that incumbent Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him decided to bite off more than he could chew on nomination day.

Yes, he may have withdrawn himself from also running an Independent candidate for Kota Laksamana, but the scar remains within the Pakatan Rakyat team, especially in DAP.

Sim, not many people get a second chance in their political life to correct their mistakes, so please take this opportunity with both hands and prove to the rakyat that you are worth their vote.

Jonaremy: Sim, I wrote to criticise you for your earlier action and I am writing again to congratulate and thank you for seeing the bigger picture and finally making the correct decision.

Do not worry, it is only human to err but to realise and make the necessary corrections doesn't make you a lesser man.

Anonymous #85701391: Sim has acted correctly. Party discipline is paramount in this GE. This GE is all about effecting a political change, getting rid of corruption, abuses, malpractices and putting in place key remedies to stop leakages and moving the country forward.

There are no winners or losers in this mess-up and it is also a good time for the leaders to reflect on the matter instead of going on a witch hunt.

Blackmoon: While Sim seems to have lost his balls, the DAP lost its credibility for not sacking him. Umno is seen as credible enough when they sacked 61 of its members for contesting as independents.

Ghkok: If everyone contests as an independent and wins, there will be 222 Independents in Parliament. What's the point? Is it going to benefit the country? Is there going to be a government?

Political parties are there for a purpose. They allow support to gravitate towards a group and enable a government to be formed so that things can get done.

That's what the rakyat want. They don't want fragmentation that leads to uncertainty.

Paul Tino: DAP must punish Sim for making DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang travel all the way from Johor to Malacca negotiate with him.

When I was a kid, my mum would lock me in a dark room for one day if I misbehave. This old man Sim should be similarly locked up until election is over.

Foo: Sim, as a Malacca voter I'm really happy with the latest news and many of us here feel the same. Believe me that's the right move, in fact, the only move.

Your enemy is Umno-BN. Defeating the enemy is our mission. And as Umno always says, "It will begin in Malacca".

Fairnsquare: Good move Sim. I appreciate your concerns. The rakyat should vote for the party. If the candidate is unsuitable or underperforms, we trust DAP's mechanisms will be able to handle it.

Your concern for the party's performance warrants appreciation.

Rayfire: Self-interest supersedes team interest. At least you should have had the courtesy of informing the leaders of your decision beforehand.

You have jeopardised the overall strategy and credibility of the party you belong to. How are you going to regain your party members' trust?

The same goes to Jenice Lee, another DAP leader who is also running as an Independent.

Cala: What made Sim change his decision? My understanding is Sim is an old party stalwart in DAP Malacca. His influence over DAP Malacca has not waned despite Lim Guan Eng's ascension in the party.

But with the prospects of success of DAP/PAS/PKR looming in the distant sky, the collective identity would have provided Sim with the required incentive for making the U-turn on his earlier decision.

Indeed, who would want to be counted out?

Daniel: Thank you for finally seeing the forest for the trees. GE13 needs to be a battle to change the system and not for minor personal gains.

It's about national policies and not whether the contractors cleaned the drains. The contractors will automatically have to do their work if cronyism is thrown out, local government is properly elected and the local councils are properly staffed.

Your job, when elected, is to make sure that happens.

Anonymous #13957745: Finally good sense prevails. Let this be a lesson to all aspiring contestants. Never, never forget that, come what may, leaders come and go, but the party is paramount. No individual is indispensable.

Make no mistake, the party can only be strong with every member - from the ordinary to the highest - exhibiting strict discipline, cooperation, supporting one another and teamwork.

Burn all bridges behind, leave no possible way of retreat, Ini ‘Kali Lah', either Pakatan wins or you perish.

Lim Chong Leong: Sim has realised he was wrong, but the damage is done on the voting slip. People can get confused.

As a senior politician, Sim should have weighed the consequences of his actions better. Now there is a lot more to be done in terms of damage control.

Shanandoah: Sim simply showed his greed and irresponsibility towards his party. Now that he has withdrawn from the Kota Laksamana seat as an independent, he runs the risk of losing even the Kota Melaka seat in the elections.

Voters may not trust him anymore. You have damaged yourself. You are a foolish man.

Jesse: Common sense and threats of expulsion finally triumph over personal ambition and political stupidity, but the damage may already be done as his candidacy will remain in the ballot papers.

Mahashitla: Sim has now come to his senses and made a wise move in the interests of the party and supporters. The DAP leadership should accept it and Sim will now have to tell supporters to vote for the other state DAP candidates instead.

This is a lesson for all future candidates to learn and we hope Jenice Lee will follow suit.

Ferdtan: Phew, finally sanity returns. We thought Pakatan before the start of the contest had lost one parliamentary seat without any fight. Now let us concentrate on capturing Putrajaya.

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