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SINGAPORE: Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP) says the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance will not be easily torn apart.
DAP’s secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng, admits that cracks have appeared but says prophets of doom will be disappointed.
Mr Lim, who is also Penang's Chief Minister, was speaking in an interview with Channel NewsAsia on Thursday.
A key theme of his election campaign for Penang last year was to promote competence, accountability and transparency - values captured by the acronym CAT.
Mr Lim says a lot has been achieved in just over a year - action has been taken against corruption, and people have come forward to help the new government promote its ideals.
He said: "What is most important is that the civil service knows this is the new order. That CAT - competency, accountability and transparency - and of course its implied message of integrity will be the credo of this administration. And anyone who fails to live up to these exacting standards, then they know what to do."
Last year, Gerakan - a component party of the ruling National Front - lost all its seats in Penang. And political watchers are predicting that it will be some time before the party makes a comeback.
Mr Lim said: "You never underestimate your opponents and overestimate your chances. That will not only be arrogant but foolhardy.
“We will continue to work as hard as we can to complete our programmes and we will take each day as if it is our last day, and we will never take the people's support for granted"
The DAP has also poured cold water on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's September 16 vision to topple the National Front government, an objective which he still continues to pursue.
Mr Lim said: "We have always discounted that. In fact we've told him privately, but since he wanted to pursue it, we did not want to be seen as sabotaging his efforts, so we let him pursue his objectives.
“We think that it will be much more honourable, more proper and correct, if we win power through constitutionally-held elections. And what we're working towards and working for is for free, fair, neutral and independent conduct of elections."
Meanwhile, the Malaysian opposition PR alliance is facing its own crisis.
Members are split over a proposal by Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) to hold unity talks with the ruling UMNO party.
Mr Lim said: "When you look at the unity government concept, we have strong views opposing the proposal. But that does not mean PR is breaking up. It only shows that democracy is alive and there is no uniformity of views. We allow differing and different views to be expressed. We are willing to listen to differing and dissenting views. Once the three parties can work out and formulate a common platform, everyone will stick to it.
"This is only PAS’ individual opinion. PR is different in the sense that you need the consent of all three parties before it can become a PR official policy. So if DAP disagrees, the proposal will not become a PR policy."
Meanwhile, Mr Lim says for the voters of Penang, they have gotten used to having the ruling National Front representatives sitting in the opposition.
- CNA/yt
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