YOURSAY | 'Concentrate on good governance, serve the rakyat well, and be rewarded in GE14.'

DAP scraps plans for Penang snap polls

Ghostwhowalks: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, that is a wise move and also a right decision. Calling snap polls just to gauge your party's support in your current predicament, when the majority of the rakyat had already given you and Pakatan Rakyat an overwhelming endorsement in GE13, amounts to no additional benefits.

Just continue to run the government well, with the well-being of the rakyat taken care of, regardless of those who voted for you or against you, and you will be rewarded in GE14. I wish you well in your coming court case.

Astounded: In a cost/benefits analysis, calling for a snap election at the cost of friction with PKR would outweigh the benefits. How much more can DAP gain compared to its already strong position in the state legislative assembly?

And then you risk PKR losing some seats. Ruling by consensus means going for the common good, not only for the good of the majority.

Just a Malaysian: Wise move. Continue to serve the rakyat well and help poor Malaysians of all races. Show good governance, a clean and efficient administration. Help our Malay brethren to develop, grow and be confident. Show Pakatan Harapan as what BN is not. The rakyat will appreciate and vote you in at GE14. Be a good government for a new Malaysia.

Nehru: Lim Guan En, please resign and hand over the CM's post to Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow. You saw the rush to convict Anwar Ibrahim in the Kajang move to pre-empt him being menteri besar of Selangor. If you remain as CM, Umno will move speedily to convict you before GE14.

Rick Teo: PKR should have no more excuses when in the next GE. If it is still not ready then, it means its state representatives have not been doing their work. After two terms, they should have done their homework to convince the voters to support them. Consolidate each constituency, and prepare for the next GE.

Ahmad_Mizi: Congratulations DAP for making the right decision. We need to focus on DOJ and 1MDB, and bring the information to the rakyat. Here's to looking to the beginning of a solid opposition.

LifeFlier: This turn of events appears to be a positive indication that the opposition leaders have managed to bring the focus back to the common good.

FellowMalaysian: “We must not win by default through the failures of others, such as within BN-Umno, where there's unfettered corruption and unrestrained abuse of power, but rather through strength and might generated from our hard work.”

Well said, Guan Eng. The opposition must be relieved that its efforts will now be fully channelled and focused towards GE14.

Kheng: While I welcome the snap polls being called off, I am bewildered why PKR wanted more seats. From my interaction with PKR supporters/members on the ground, it looked like their support is eroding fast in several urban seats held by them currently. Matter of fact, even Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin's support seems to be waning.

Allforit: Any reason why PKR has no confidence? Sooner or later, it will still have to face the music. The year 2018 is not far off. DAP is doing a good job in Penang. Why should it sacrifice some of its seats to PKR? Why doesn't PKR work for its own seats?

Proarte: Well done Guan Eng. It shows that DAP is a team player and this decision will help achieve closer ties within Pakatan. Let us focus on destroying BN, but it means Pakatan has to think out of the box.

The old formula of politics along the lines of race and religion has to be jettisoned. The new politics must recognise the equality of each citizen with not even a hint of 'ketuanan'.

Pakatan must articulate the fact that citizens born in Malaysia are bumiputera to give it the natural meaning of the word - 'sons and daughters of the soil'. It is only when there is true respect for each citizen, that we can form a formidable united opposition front to take on BN.

Isana: With that out of the way, now focus on taking down BN. Work with some of the reasonable PAS leaders to come together as a loose coalition to avoid three-cornered fights. Only then, the rakyat will see hope again. That is the only way that BN can be defeated.

Maxit: Yes. It is not the right time. Najib will fall very soon. There will probably be an early general election. Mahathir's party will then be ready to join the coalition. Many things are about to happen. Be patient. There will be trouble and turmoil, but out of which will come a new Malaysia.

Fairman: Glad you were willing to hear the voices of your supporters/voters. Now just concentrate on retaining the seats you had won and the seats you contested but lost in GE13.

If need be, sacrifice some seats to Amanah and the regional parties in Sabah and Sarawak. Leave the negotiations to contest in Malay/bumiputera seats to Mahathir's new party, PKR and Amanah. Please don't give the impression of a domineering partner.

The outcome of GE14 has to be decided by the rural Malays. By the way, please closely observe the conduct of the Election Commission.

Anonymous_1371547149: Whether that is a wise move or not, remains to be seen in the face of the new National Security Act. In life and politics, if there are no risks, there are also no gains. We do not want leaders who play "safe" to protect their positions.

Guan Eng did not consider the snap polls just to protect himself. He is definitely going to jail and he is prepared for it.

With the new Act coming into effect, whether there will be a GE in future is questionable. At least a snap election would have given the people of Penang a chance to serve a resounding slap to Najib.

Anak Malaysia; Wise choice. Focus on educating the rural areas about the current state of our nation including 1MDB. There has to be a concerted effort to educate the rural population, while continuing the great job you and Pakatan Harapan are doing in Penang.

Allforit: See. DAP is not like PAS. It keeps its word. So far, I only have faith in two parties - DAP and Amanah. There are some good people in PKR too, but have to sieve out the bad ones. PKR should just hand its seats to Amanah, if it has no confidence.

Apple Polishing I am Not: As long as the 10 Penang PKR state representatives service their constituents efficiently, have no fear. Come GE14, they will still be around.

Commancheros: Most people of Penang welcome this wise decision by Guan Eng to scrap this Penang snap election. We will use our energy for GE14.

Win the war - not the battle.

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