YOURSAY | ‘After all, this mandate can only be taken away by the people.’

Guan Eng undercuts himself and Harapan

Malaccan: Writer Terence Netto has deliberately overlooked or inadvertently lost sight that these PKR assemblypersons were reportedly consulted and agreed to oppose Umno's motion in a separate meeting.

However, they reneged and later abstained ostensibly for conscience's sake but likely for partisan political reasons. It is this that led to the Penang CM's ire.

Opposing Umno's motion would not have precluded them from speaking up to advise the state government at any time.

However, they chose to embarrass the CM and the state government for temporary political gains and possibly for internal party manoeuvrings.

PKR is largely a coalition of interest groups and individuals, hence the constant accommodations and occasional back-stabbings.

Discipline can seem or even become authoritative, much like how Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew was so described, and led his nation to greatness.

P Dev Anand Pillai: Dear Terence, the difference is that the people have chosen a disciplined authoritative leader who leads and has the guts to stand up against the central leadership who still see him using the ethnic lens as opposed to a leader who depends on the central leadership to decide on everything.

If the people of Penang are not happy, then by all means cooperate with the federal government, do the magic, get in the votes and ship the DAP out for good then.

Anonymous #20999887: Yes, it may be a moral ground but trying to express this moral ground on a questionable and politicised motion raised by Umno reeks of something more than trying to be moral.

There are many other avenues to display their moral grounds if they are really interested in that alone.

Kawak: Once in power, people forget they were voted in by the voters. Lim Guan Eng must heed advice from people around him to be go back to the ways he followed when he was first appointed as chief minister.

With power comes arrogance. This is the same mistake all politicians made except for the late Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who kept his head level and led a simple life devoid of luxuries.

Anyway, two terms as chief minister is enough and let another capable takes over the helm of Penang state government.

But letting go of power, position and perks which comes with the post is not easy.

Penangites Strive to be Ahead: Guan Eng is preparing the future for the young,10 to 20 years down the road. Critics will wake up. Guan Eng is right on the land reclamation.

This is all forward planning, if ever there is such as to qualify as ‘developed state’, Penang will take the crown, other states in Malaysia will forever be ‘developing states’.

Watchmen: Everyone has the perception that PKR has Umno genes in it. What do you do when your own cells go against you? Medically this is known as cancer.

KO: I am pro-effective and able leaders. Pakatan has more than BN in this department. Having said this, Pakatan/Harapan has this tantrum-throwing Guan Eng.

Every day he does something silly. Why he is so confrontational and "my way or the highway" is beyond my comprehension.

This should be his last term as Penang CM. We need a tougher but a kinder, at least perception-wise, CM.

The Analyser: If Penangites want cleaner drains and less traffic congestion, then it’s best they look to their own disgusting littering habits and their appalling driving.

By continuing with Lim, you are gambling the enlightened future of Malaysia with an insecure little tyrant with no respect for democracy and the rights of citizens.

He is so much a clone of Umno thinking with his totalitarian attitudes and his obsession with money, race and religion in government and mega capital works projects that he is totally off the page when it comes to a leader of an alternative government.

HaveAGreatDay: Sigh, what disgusting political infighting among those in the DAP and PKR. Hopeless morons not able to look at the bigger picture.

Otakechik: It is better to have the guts to remove those not toeing the line than being popular.

Landbank: Terence Netto, has it ever crossed your mind of what Penangites think of these two from PKR?

JomUbahUbah: All Penangites will not agree with the writer. A state government must have discipline among its assemblypersons. Therefore, Guan Eng is right.

Anonymous_1371547149: Terence, it's really naive to believe that Guan Eng, despite his leadership qualities, will ever rise up in the pecking order of Pakatan Harapan.

People talk about the existence of the glass ceiling. In Malaysia, it is the race ceiling. Now some in Pakatan even begrudge him of his CMship which didn't fall onto his lap but a mandate given by the Penangites.

Let him do his job (even if you disagree). After all, this mandate can only be taken away by the people.

The Observer: Both sides need better consultation and deference to resolve differences of views.

PKR needs to explain why they should object to the actions of LGE in the light of their own action in rejecting the nominations of the DAP to the municipal council.

Otherwise, the coalition risks falling apart at the seams if this tit-for-tat continues. The impending dispute over the seat allocation for Sarawak is another potential flashpoint if not handled well.

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