By Debra Chong - The Malaysian Insider
PETALING JAYA, June 21 – DAP leader Lim Kit Siang usually speaks his mind plainly. But today, he seemed unable – or unwilling – to put himself and his party on the line over the controversial unity talks between Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partner PAS and rival Umno.
Lim’s failure to do so sends out a clear signal that the fledgling coalition is more fragile than it appears.
Speaking to reporters at the DAP headquarters here on the eve of a key meeting with fellow PR parties in Parliament, the seasoned politician repeated his view that his alliance was facing a “crisis of confidence” triggered by the Islamist party chief’s insistence on sitting down with Umno to talk about Malay/Muslim issues.
Lim seemed keen to play down PAS president Datuk Hadi Awang’s role and that of his deputy, in pushing the talks.
Instead, he was quick to lay the blame squarely at the feet of Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), especially the Malay party’s No. 2 Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He even accused Muhyiddin, who is also the deputy prime minister, of openly trampling on the prime minister’s national unity-building efforts.
He highlighted Muhyiddin’s keenness for the talks, noting the latter’s seeming willingness to accept any terms set by PAS.
But the DAP adviser was reluctant to answer questions about the party’s stand on PAS ahead of the PR discussion tomorrow.
He demurred when answering what the party’s stand is on PAS, saying: “Ask me after the meeting tomorrow.”
“We don’t believe in ultimatums,” Lim said when pressed if DAP would issue an ultimatum to PAS for insisting on its right to talk with Umno on Malay/Muslim matters despite the overwhelming wave of opposition from within its own party as well as in DAP and PKR.
Lim continued to skirt the issue by rejecting the offer from the MCA to hold talks on matters affecting the Chinese community.
“DAP is not interested to hold talks on Chinese unity as the DAP is a multiracial Malaysian party,” Lim replied to a public offer from Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, president of the ruling coalition’s Chinese party in the media earlier today.
He continued to sneer at MCA’s efforts to reach out, and reminded Ong of his party’s and Gerakan’s failure to hold meaningful talks on an education policy involving the Chinese community 22 years ago.
“Umno reacted in a rage and MCA leaders were severely reprimanded!” Lim said.
“It was even justification for the notorious Operation Lalang ISA mass arrests with over 100 people detained,” he added.
The Ipoh-Timur MP accused Umno and MCA of playing up the race card to plant doubts among Malaysians.
“Umno is now accusing PAS of being frightened of DAP and PKR. MCA is accusing DAP of being frightened of PAS,” Lim said, referring to PR’s hesitation to talk on community issues.
While Lim claims to make DAP’s stand very clear – “We stand for Malaysian unity” – his sudden preference for silence speaks volumes about the uncertain state of play in PR.
Malaysians have no choice but to wait and see tomorrow if Lim can deliver on his promise that PR will resolve the crisis of confidence and send out a clear message that PR parties are “committed to new politics representing all Malaysians”.
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