Why Incidents Revolving Lim Guan Eng Lately is Actually a Good Thing for Pakatan Harapan, and the Rakyat

Time has been tough for Lim Guan Eng, one of the most recognized political leader in Malaysia known for his integrity and success for making Penang one of the most prosperous state in Malaysia.

Last month, he was charged with abused of power and corruption over the alleged approval of a rezoning application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land to residential and over his purchase of his RM2.8 million house from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at below market value of RM4.27 million. In short, since these incidents, political leaders have been using this opportunity to call for LGE to step down as chief minister of Penang, and in mid July, LGE called for a decision to held a snap election in order to allow Penang voters to express their stand on these issues, but at the end of of July, LGE announced the call off of the snap election due to disagreement from PKR leaders.

And the politics continue.

But this post is not about LGE. It is about what we can see from Pakatan Harapan (PKR + DAP + Parti Amanah Negara [Yes yes, if you have not been reading news for a long time, it is not PAS anymore] ) as a possible future of Malaysia IF they become the next party to govern the country.

Have a read on the below paragraph on how LGE reacted on the snap election being called off:

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the decision was made after PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali informed him on Saturday that the PKR leadership was against the plan.

“We consulted the state leadership and the party’s central executive committee leaders and I think many felt there was no point dragging the issue,” he said at his office in Komtar yesterday."

Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, said the party had stated that it would not make a unilateral decision on the matter and would seek consensus from all parties in Pakatan Harapan.

(source: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/08/01/dap-calls-off-snap-polls-decision-made-after-party-failed-to-reach-agreement-with-pkr/)

The fact that the state government actually has the power to call for a snap election without calling for an emergency state assembly meeting.

What we might be able to see from Pakatan Harapan IF they win the next general election?

From the decision to call for a snap election to the outcome of being called off, we are able to tell that Pakatan Harapan practices the one best of democracy stand off all the political party crises throughout the history of Malaysia politics.

Despite having the most seats in Penang (19), LGE and his party took in the voice of their ally PKR (10) on the disagreement to held the snap election. This reflect that no one people in Pakatan Harapan is able to make sole decision, no matter how excellent is the leader's past portfolio. To finalize any execution, you will still need to attain the agreement of your allies, not only because this is how democracy works, it is also a show of RESPECT among allies, and this, is how a pakatan (alliance) stay strong in long run.

You might question - why is this important? Well, this is VERY important, as Malaysia is a democratic nation, and the courage to take in difference in stands and opinions, especially in the midst of all crises and allegations, even if it is not the best thing to do, but it is the RIGHT thing to do in a democratic country. This is, in fact, how democracy works, like what President Obama said in his latest speech in the Democratic National Convention:

"...that even when you’re 100 percent right, getting things done requires compromise. 

That democracy doesn’t work if we constantly demonize each other. She (Hillary Clinton) knows that for progress to happen, we have to listen to each other, see ourselves in each other, fight for our principles but also fight to find common ground, no matter how elusive that may seem."

To find a common ground, in spite of all the difference in opinions and stands, requires compromise - exactly what leaders in Pakatan Harapan showcased to the public in the incident of snap election in Penang. This, ladies and gentleman, is the essence of how a true democratic country should be managed, and not by eliminating the people that have a difference in stand away from your management.

Whether LGE is guilty for his allegations, I would not judge, and no one is qualified to judge - One is innocent until he/she is proved guilty. Political leaders will pressure or side LGE, but we as the rakyat should take our stand rationally in the midst of all political stabbing and allegations. 

To end, I would sincerely present the definition of democracy: Democracy, literally, rule by the people. The term is derived from the Greekdēmokratiā, which was coined from dēmos (“people”) and kratos (“rule”).

People rule. Rakyat, judge with rationale, and may us all not be clouded by fake truth.

p.s. Kawan-kawan aged 21 and above! Have you registered as a voter? Register as a voter now in your nearest post office! (Please jangan wait till announcement to GE only go register yaaaaa, the registration does not work instantly and it takes time to process the registrations!)