Perak Politics: PKR's position

Malaysiakini reported that: "PKR threatens to pull out of Perak state admin."

This again sent chills and migraine for the supporters of Barisan Rakyat and reignite their anxieties and frustrations.

I quickly take a look at what Nathaniel Tan had to say in his blog Jelas.info and there Nat provides an explanation to the position of PKR on the conflicting reports. This is what Nat had to say:

Before we get worked up over anything, it is important to have a full understanding. Allow me to decipher, if you please.

Not being part of a state administration is equivalent to not being part of the Cabinet, but still being a backbencher in the majority government.

It is very important that we understand this.

What Dr. Syed said is that under this arrangement, KeADILan will refuse any Perak State Exco seat.

He also said - and again this is very important - that regardless of the outcome, KeADILan will still support a DAP-KeADILan-PAS led state assembly (and thus, government).

So before we take in sensationalist accounts, I hope we can consider the facts.

As to what is fair or unfair with regards to the Exco positions et al, I suppose that is a matter of opinion.

You can read his piece here: Perak Keyword of the Day: Administration.

Here is the full text of Dr. Syed’s statement:

KeADILan’s Position on Perak

Parti Keadilan Rakyat accepts the decision to elect PAS State Assemblyman, Sdr. Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as Menteri Besar of Perak. While at first we stressed the need to choose an individual that will be well received by the majority, we now accept the decision in the spirit of cooperation between KeADILan, PAS and DAP as well as in the interests of stability and harmony for Perak and for the whole of Malaysia.

Nonetheless, we do not agree with the agreement made between PAS and DAP with regards to the composition of the Perak State Exco wherein eight Exco seats are given to DAP and the remaining two given to the other parties. In the spirit of sincere openness, we stress that the composition of the Exco must reflect the composition of the population of Perak and represent the interests of all ethnic groups fairly. All parties must be sensitive to the hopes and sentiments of the people.

We ask that this composition be discussed again and if the composition is not altered to the satisfaction of all parties involved, KeADILan will not take part in the administration of Perak.

However, we will continue to honour our agreement to support the coalition government of Perak.

Dr. Syed Husin Ali
Deputy President
Parti Keadilan Rakyat

Meanwhile there were rumours and sms text messages calling on the Malays to a rally at Istana Iskandariah to protest against the DAP "for challenging Malay supremacy." (source: Malaysiakini) Perak police chief Zulkefli Abdullah warned the public not to assemble outside Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, this afternoon.

Is UMNO and MCA ganging up to create a racial war so as to declare an emergency state or to forced the Sultan to call for a snap election? The news of conflict between the BR coalition seems a great opportunity for UMNO to create some chaos and racial tensions to reinforced a slim chance to get back the government of the state.

The people of Perak must decide for themselves whether they wanted racial conflicts to erupt and destroy the peace they had enjoyed. PKR-DAP-PAS must also decide whether they should cooperate or let UMNO destroy the nation.