Instead of allowing certain parties to hold Pakatan Harapan to ransom over the threat of three-cornered fights, the opposition pact should embrace the challenge, said Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow.

He said that the coming 14th general election is a real test on whether parties like DAP can survive the onslaught of multiple corner fights.

Circumstances in the past were different for DAP, related Chow, as the party was not leading a state government and it was still in a relationship with PAS.

Today, DAP has no choice but to face the reality of multi-cornered fights in GE14 as the situation is inevitable, said Chow, who is Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's right-hand man in Penang, and has been touted to be the next in line.

But Chow appears not to be too bothered by the eventuality which some worry may negatively impact Harapan, despite DAP allies PKR and Parti Amanah Negara worrying about having to struggle to win in mixed and Malay majority seats.

"Sometimes we win the seat, sometime we lose, but the third party also got killed in the process," Chow said, in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, at his office on the 52nd floor of Komtar, the tallest building in Penang.

"There have to be a GE to test the strength of the various parties.

"With the new alignment or no alignment, how would each party fare at the general elections, that would be a test," he added.

Ultimate choice with voters

When asked about warnings by political pundits that multiple corner fights will only benefit BN as it will split the opposition votes, Chow cautioned against such general assumptions.

He said the ultimate choice still lies with the voters and they have to consider the "unusual circumstances" and accept the reality that opposition parties like DAP and PAS are unable to work together.

Asked if by saying this, he meant that DAP is willing to take the risk facing multi-cornered fights, Chow replied "at the moment, it looks like that".

"But it is a painful decision to make," he said.

After the series of defeats for Harapan in the recent Sarawak state polls and the Sungai Besar (Selangor) and Kuala Kangsar (Perak) by-elections, questions abound on if DAP and PAS can form a working relationship to avoid three-cornered fights in GE14.

Given present circumstances and how things evolved since the break-up between DAP and PAS, he believed the strong statements from PAS recently indicate that there is a very slim chance that the two parties can work together.

"As it stands, it is very difficult. My party, the supporters and voters, will not be able to endorse such a working relationship," he added.

Chow conceded that from this perspective, the possibility of a Harapan victory in GE14 seems unlikely.

Furthermore,  based on the composition of seats, Malay majority parties like PKR and Amanah are set to suffer most if the issue of three-cornered fights cannot be resolved.
 
Harapan still has hope

But Chow offers a solution for this, and is optimistic that Harapan still has hope.

He proposed for Harapan to enter the ring in GE14 by trumpeting its achievements in governing the two states - Penang and Selangor.

"The issues of governance, delivery, performance as a government are equally important, so why not we go into elections with our strengths - that we have performed relatively well - we will be able to do much better if we are given the mandate again, instead of giving BN a chance to come back," Chow said.

He argued that Harapan must stand confident that after 8.5 years of governance and delivery, they can face the electorate, even if three-cornered fights are inevitable.

"Like it or not, the other party will come and contest the seats, it is a fact that we have to face and move on. We have to, instead of being held to ransom, sort of. We want to break the hold.

"So rather than being fearful of that situation, because it will come anyway, try to focus people's attention on if we are given a new mandate, and tell them that we will be able to deliver more," concluded Chow.

Tomorrow: Why only a Chinese CM?  Why not a Malay or Indian?
Yesterday: Chow Kon Yeow - from under Lim's shadow to " natural choice" CM