What lessons can Pakatan learn after 14 years of ruling Penang? – Ian McIntyre

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THOSE who attended the inaugural media briefing of the opposition immediately after the electoral victory of DAP and its partners in Penang around 14 years ago would probably be fined for infringing standard operating procedures if the event had been held today.

In 2008, a crowd of people would be a welcome sight. But today, it would be shunned due to the Covid-19 virus, which has taken close to 2,000 lives in the state. The notion of physical or social distancing was not heard of then.

The room then was so full that all protocol was lost. Even the prospective deputy chief minister, Muhammed Fairus Khairuddin of PKR, could not find a seat.

Anyway, the oracles were never with Fairus, a former factory manager who would later quit his government position due to a fallout with the coalition just over a year later.

His tenure was then believed to be among the shortest in Malaysia’s political history, although events in the past two years have made it pale in comparison.

The pact, now known as Pakatan Harapan, has come to rule Penang for 14 years.

But the question on the lips of the average voter is whether it has learnt anything from governing a diverse state like Penang.

There are signs that PH may be taught a future lesson or two by a restless electoral pool because of hardship in weathering the pandemic and an economic depression, in addition to some unkept promises.

As Penang prepares for the next election, it is a war which can easily be lost if infighting prevails.

Can DAP, following the footsteps of its perpetual rival Gerakan, be voted out of Penang in the upcoming general election?

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