The Selangor Menteri Besar saga brought out internal differences among the three Pakatan Rakyat component parties into the open.

 

Although they closed ranks in the end to hold on Selangor, Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) CEO Wan Saiful Wan Jan opined that the relationship among the three parties was heavily damaged and it would only be with great difficulty that it would recover.

 

They have no choice but to continue to walk together in order to hold on to the state government, he said, when contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday.

 

“I think the relationship at the moment is down to a level where they are friends because they are forced to be friends rather than because they really want to be friends,” Wan Saiful ( left ) mused.

 

Though consensus had been reached on PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the replacement for Selangor MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the three parties clearly have to find out remedies to improve their relationships with each other.

 

Indeed it can’t be ruled out that another crisis is looming and could lead to another split due to differences in ideologies.

 

As pointed out by Penang Institute fellow Wong Chin Huat, on Facebook two days ago, the next test for Pakatan would be PAS’ private member’s bill on hudud, reportedly be to tabled at the next Parliament sitting session on Oct 7.

 

When contacted, Merdeka Centre executive director Ibrahim Suffian also said that differences of ideology among the three parties was a long-standing issue, with hudud being one of them.

 

“This issue has always been there. I think they will have to confront in the future again as it has to be addressed,” he said.

 

However, PKR strategist director Rafizi Ramli ( left ) attempted to tone down differences among the parties, claiming that this is part of the maturing process for Pakatan.

 

The Pandan MP was one of the main initiators of ‘Kajang Move’, which vehemently pushed for Wan Azizah to replace Khalid as menteri besar, and for PAS to accept the one-and-only candidate proposed by PKR.

 

He explained that that leaders among the three parties could disagree with each other openly was because they have equal status within Pakatan and have always discussed things openly and transparently.

 

“Naturally the decision making process takes longer because we are more open, straightforward and transparent on each party’s position,” he said.

 

As long as the opinions are based on facts, he said, Pakatan leaders can voice them out openly.

 

“I think it’s very important, it’s a maturing process,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted yesterday.

 

'Much to learn'

PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad shared the same view with Rafizi, saying that the Selangor crisis showed that Pakatan had much to learn.

 

“In the nutshell, I think that this crisis has made us come face to face with the fact that we have a lot to learn to rectify our shortcomings,” he added.

 

Ibrahim ( right ) also pointed out that Pakatan had once again closed ranks after they had unanimously agreed on  Wan Azizah as the menteri besar candidate last weekend.

 

“Yes, there had been some tension, but we have emerged stronger. I think what they need to do is manage some of the factions inside PAS so that problems don’t arise again.

 

“But I think, by and large, the relationships have been maintained, and things will move forward again,” he said.

 

Nevertheless, all of them had agreed that Pakatan image had been tarnished to some extent.

 

Rafizi said that Malaysians are not used to open disagreement among Pakatan leaders as BN had always hidden its internal tussles for the last 57 years.

 

“So of course (our image was tainted as) they are not used to it when leaders disagree openly. But eventually, once people are used to it, they will prefer it this way,” he said.

 

Credibility affected

DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong also conceded that credibility of Pakatan as the alternative government was affected and it will take time to recover.

 

But what Pakatan must do in order to regain public confidence? The Pakatan leaders and commentators said that better governance in Selangor and common policies on public issues are the keys.

 

Liew said that this crisis had discredited Khalid’s frugal image, so Pakatan needs to send a message to the public that Selangor state government is capable of having other policies.

 

“We must have distinctively different policies on housing, urban planning, transport, jobs etc to convince the voters that the Pakatan government is far better than BN,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, Wong ( left ) suggested that Wan Azizah must offer a different brand of politics, once she become the menteri besar, to unite Pakatan.

 

He stressed that the Kajang state assemblyperson need to establish a caucus meeting to let all the state exco members and state assemblypersons to have a chance to meet and discuss issues.

 

He said that such mechanism will ensure that the voices from the grassroots will able to be conveyed right to the top leadership.

Selangor crisis today

8.21am: Social media analysis agency Politweet says PKR's move to oust Khalid backfired online

12.56pm: PKR declines to reveal its plans if sultan rejects Wan Azizah

1.51pm: Analyst says Pakatan parties ' forced to be friends ' after the crisis

2.22pm: MB apologises for the crisis, says the attacks against him is a price he has to pay to uphold integrity

2.35pm: JAG, a coalition of women NGOs, says Wan Azizah unfairly criticised because of gender

3.25pm: Lim Kit Siang urges Pakatan leaders to meet on how to regain trust after MB crisis

3.42pm: Former Selangor exco member Rodziah Ismail says news portal defamed her by claiming she resigned as part of a 'deal'

6pm: PAS reveals it mooted Azmin Ali as an alternate MB candidate after its president Abdul Hadi Awang met sultan