DAP presses the panic button

PONTIAN MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan was actually the first to propose postponing the Johor and Melaka state elections.

Few took him seriously because Ahmad is better known for reciting pantun, making nasi goreng or fried rice and, more recently, asking people to cycle in order to save on fuel.

Ahmad, who is also Deputy Works Minister, cited the economic crisis resulting from the Middle East conflict as reasons for putting off the elections.

However, it was Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong who became the target of backlash on social media.

Khoo, who is also DAP organising secretary, had latched on to the idea but went a step further by mentioning the dreaded word - emergency rule.

Circumventing the five-year shelf-life of the state assembly means suspending the federal constitution and invoking emergency rule.

Doesn’t he remember that emergency rule contributed to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s downfall as Prime Minister?

Khoo’s fellow Melaka politician and Umno Youth chief Datuk Akmal Saleh slammed the idea as “bodoh” or stupid, pointing out that neighbouring countries were also facing the same dilemma but none had talked about emergency rule.

It is amusing how two fishes can swim in the same aquarium while nipping at each other.

DAP is spooked by speculation that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is contemplating an early general election.

The party has been in a state of crisis since its crushing losses in the Sabah election.

It has pressed the Prime Minister to fast-forward the promised reforms and its leaders have become more vocal on issues. But they are more worried about the party congress in July when delegates will review their party’s role in the government.

Power and government positions are at stake because the congress will decide whether DAP leaders should continue to hold posts in the government.

DAP’s remedial efforts following the Sabah polls helped cool down the disappointment and anger among its base.

However, the Middle East crisis has brought on a new level of anxiety especially among the business community and the effects are starting to be felt where it hurts most - the people’s pockets.

“A lot of businesses are affected by the war in Iran. Businessmen tell me they can cope with rising costs but if the supply of raw material dries up, they are finished. There will be some effect on how people vote.

“Any sort of Chinese frustration with the Madani government directly affects our constituencies and DAP becomes the natural target. It is good that our party is concerned and looking for solutions although emergency rule is not the answer,” said Selangor DAP figure Datuk Teng Chang Khim.

The fear of more humiliation in the Melaka, Johor and Sarawak elections is quite real.

PKR’s prestige as the party of the Prime Minister is on the line. The party was wiped out in the Melaka state election, left with only one seat in the Johor election and is struggling in Sarawak where there is a popularity surge for Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“The circumstances and atmosphere of stand-alone state elections carries some kind of risk. People may feel more free with their votes knowing it won’t endanger the federal government,” said a Penang lawyer Khaw Veon Szu.

The Chinese seats in Melaka have a long-standing loyalty to DAP but it could be quite different in Johor where MCA has the potential to make further inroads.

The Chinese in Johor often come across as more level-headed.

Singapore is important to the local economy of Johor and Johoreans appreciate how Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz has focused on improving the cross-border people traffic jams as well as his maturity in dealing with Singapore leaders.

Many Johoreans admire the political leaders on the other side of the causeway for being honest, efficient and well-educated compared to some of the half-past-six types they see back home.

In short, the Chinese electorate in Johor hold politicians to a higher standard.

But according to a retired teacher who used to be active in the Dong Zong Chinese education movement, a lot of the noise is about pressuring rather than changing the government.

“My circle of friends are generally not satisfied with the government but not to the extent of wanting to change the government. Some will stay at home on election day but those Chinese who come out will vote for Pakatan. Anwar Ibrahim is still our only choice,” said the retired teacher.

Some of them argue that they gave Barisan Nasional 60 years and Pakatan should be allowed more time to prove its worth.

Moreover, the trust issues the community has with Perikatan Nasional is too great to overcome for now.

The Chinese romance with Pakatan is far from over although it is not all starry-eyed like before.

It has been difficult for politicians to see through the noise and confusion with so many things happening at the same time and it explains why DAP leaders like Khoo seem in panic mode.

Meanwhile, Umno is already in election mode in Melaka where the vibes at the joint-opening of Melaka Umno branch meetings by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi resembled a campaign rally.

Ahmad Zahid ramped up the mood when he declared that Barisan must go all out to retain its two-thirds majority in Melaka. Postponement is the last thing on his mind.

Umno needs Malay support to do well in Melaka but Pakatan needs Chinese support to survive.