DAP must go it alone if PKR sticks with PAS, says Zaid

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 ― DAP must stick to its principles and not sit together with PAS in the Penang state government or the public will question its motives, former PKR member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim warned in a recent blog post.

Directing his message at DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang and his son Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Zaid said any PAS leader who wishes to stay in the state government must resign from the party and be independent lawmakers.

“If PKR leadership opposes this stand, then DAP must be prepared to go its own way. I believe that with the commitment of Mat Sabu and friends, DAP can continue to govern Penang regardless,” Zaid said, using the moniker for former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu.

“PKR must decide who their true allies are in this political struggle,” he added.

Despite that, Zaid admitted that the situation is more complex in Selangor, but Mentri Besar Azmin Ali should know which side he must choose if he remembers the sacrifices made by DAP, especially the late Karpal Singh.

Zaid predicted that Azmin will keep DAP in power in the state for two more years to keep his post, but said that the problem will return in the next elections, as PAS progressive leaders might not trust Azmin if he keeps the pro-ulama faction in the Selangor government.

The former Umno minister also suggested that Azmin should not forget the PAS progressives who are now being sidelined and treated as political outcasts in their own party.

“They can form a new political party but they need a strong supporter from an established party such as DAP to be effective.

“I hope you won’t take too long to decide or grow too comfortable in Selangor while you sacrifice the opportunity to establish long term alliances with your true friends,” Zaid tells Azmin.

Azmin had said last week he will meet Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to explain that PKR, DAP and PAS will continue to work together as a coalition government, leaving the Selangor government unaffected following Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) demise.

Last week, PKR said PR has ceased to “function formally” as a coalition, following “hasty” decisions made by DAP and PAS.

In a statement, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said her party regretted PAS’ muktamar resolution to cut off ties with DAP as well as DAP’s declaration that their three-party partnership was over.