THE Malacca state elections that are forced upon us have their fair share of controversies.

First, it was Pejuang that decided, as a matter of principle, not to participate in the polls. Then, it was about the logo that was to be used – either PKR’s or Pakatan Harapan’s (PH).

When that was resolved, the candidacy of two ex-Umno assemblymen who withdrew their support for the Umno chief minister became another issue.

DAP has objected strongly to them being fielded as independents under the PH logo.

When both Amanah and PKR agreed to allow them to use the PH logo, DAP made their objection public.

DAP’s argument was then reinforced by various individuals who also denounced the decision, citing it as a deviation from PH’s principles.

But before we go into these so-called controversies, there is an issue that still needs to be said.

The objections to the state elections being held are admittedly academic. Like it or not, come November 8, all parties must bring forth their candidates or surrender the seats to Barisan Nasional (BN) or Perikatan Nasional (PN), whichever the case may be.

However, the double standards used are to be noted. Had it been a PH state government that lost majority support, the new party having the majority would just take over the reins of government without an election.

However, when it is the BN/PN government that loses majority support, the state legislative assembly is summarily dissolved and elections declared.

Such is the guile and biasness of the BN-PN cooperation and for this alone, they should be denied victory in Malacca.

The controversies

When Pejuang decided not to participate, we respected its decision and understood its logic.

It did not, at the same time, criticise us for deciding differently. For that we are thankful and hoping, nonetheless, for its support and votes from its supporters.

On the logo issue, PKR conceded to the decision to use the PH logo. However, until today, we still hear some groups complaining about the decision and declaring it as a wrong decision that will cost us the elections.

I think once a decision has been made, such complaints do not help and it would be better to stop the complaints and concentrate on the task at hand. which is to win Malacca back for PH with a new five-year mandate.

The issue pertaining to the candidacy of both the ex-Umno assemblymen is, of course, a little more complicated.

However, if we were to sift through the facts, it would become clear that we have not compromised our principles by allowing them to use the PH logo. The objection made is that they are “katak” or political frogs jumping from one party to another.

Technically, this is not true. They were actually expelled from Umno when they withdrew their support for Suleiman Md Ali, the Umno chief minister.

Having been expelled and the state assembly dissolved, they now want to prove that their decision to pull their support from Suleiman was in the interest of the people of Malacca and supported by them.

Reasons for their actions include the issue of the sale of sand and more than 1,000 acres of state land to a private entity.

As such, their stand is a principled one and they are made to pay for it.

If the case is as is portrayed, then what choice do government assemblymen have when they object to blatant misuse of power by the state government?

The easy way out would be to remain silent and enjoy the fruits of your “labours”, but that would not be the right thing to do.

If the anti-party hopping law were in place, they could have stepped down and gone for a recall election. But currently, that option is not available. However, what is happening now is close enough an alternative.

So, in the first place, we do not classify the two ex-Umno assemblymen as katak.

Their position is different from the other two assemblymen, who were originally from PH, then went over to PN and caused the downfall of the PH state government. These two are not being considered even though they are interested to be fielded as independents using the PH logo.

It is, therefore, clear that PH is still holding on to its principles when we differentiate between the two groups.

I can understand the need for DAP to make its stand clear on this matter. It fears that its voters who have expressed strong objection to the fielding of the four “independents” under the PH logo will not come out to vote.

An explanation on the difference between the two groups, that is, the ex-Umno assemblymen and the ex-PH assemblymen, may or may not be accepted. Whereas the time left for the elections is not long.

As such, while accepting the decision based on the majority, DAP feels that it is necessary for it to let its stand be known.

I personally can live with that, however, as the candidates are not going to be fielded in the seats contested by DAP candidates, I hope the voters will not punish DAP for the decision made by the PH presidential council.

At the same time, after having made it stand clear, it is hoped that DAP will drop the issue and concentrate on the fight against BN and PN.

In some ways, where the two ex-Umno assemblymen will be placed is a battle for the Malay votes and fortunately or unfortunately, they still carry weight among the Malays who are thankfully looking beyond Umno.

We wish to encourage them to look not only beyond Umno but completely away from it.

The implications

In the final analysis, everyone needs to understand this one important fact. This is a question of a five-year mandate for Malacca that will be decided by the state elections.

If we wish to see the Malacca state government in the hands of BN for the next five years, then we may be justified to allow these issues to cloud our judgment and let BN win hands down!

This is easily achieved by our not coming out to vote on the pretext of being “principled”. Yet, what principles are we talking about when we allow BN to return to power with a five-year mandate?

We may have differences of opinion on the issues of strategy and approach, or even what is principled or otherwise, but let us be united in the decision to oust BN out of Malacca for the next five years!

Malacca is a start and out of Putrajaya in the next general election is the final encore.

Towards this common objective, we hope the parties not contesting, for one reason or another, be it Pejuang, Muda, Warisan and the such, will close ranks and work for a PH victory. – November 6, 2021.

* Khalid Samad is Shah Alam member of Parliament and Amanah communication director.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.