For P Pauh polls, PKR should break mould

 Dont just talk: Permatang Pauh is the home-turf of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and the seat belongs to PKR to contest. Loaning it to PAS is not a good idea, when PKR has credible candidates to contest the seat.

There is nothing wrong for Nurul Nuha – a clean, but inexperienced candidate – to contest the seat under PKR.

Just like the recent Jelutong by-election when the DAP candidate, Ramkarpal Singh, won with over 40,000 votes, let Nurul Nuha stand.

And, let the Permatang Pauh voters send a message to Umno Baru, that their past and present abusive behaviour will not be tolerated by Malaysians.

Appum: Terence Netto, this is a bombastic analysis by a bombastic man. Why should this place be entrusted to PAS? Although PAS vice-president Husam Musa is a good moderate, he is still controlled by the party at large. And this party has shown to be untrustworthy with their ideological games and extremist side.

Why didn’t you propose DAP then? Again, with practical politics around and when locals are not ready with thinking minds, that would be suicide as well.

At this point of time, the best person to stand would be Anwar’s daughter – as a symbolic protest to the unfair treatment imposed upon the father. Dynastic or not, this would be a better and safer choice. If DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng goes there, I am sure that Pakatan would win, but this is not practical at the moment, too.

As far as PAS is concerned in Pakatan, it is a goner. When trust is lost in any relationship, it’s difficult to bring anyone, or any party back.

Isana: Husam is experienced, well-qualified and moderate, but at this moment, in a party not trusted by many.

The PAS ulama are flexing their muscles to garner support for their unpopular president, and making a lot of nonsense statements a la Taliban. They are jeopardising the partnership of Pakatan Rakyat and turning many supporters away.

Awang Top: I think it might work. With a PAS candidate, it is sure to get the party’s support in the campaign.

But I would prefer to field Mohamad (Mat) Sabu, who hails from Penang. He must gain a foothold in PAS as deputy president in order to counter its ulama faction.

Rick teo: Hahaha, Terence, you are a poor strategist. I do like Husam for his progressive thinking, but until he comes out from PAS, I can never trust any of its members now.

At a time when I would encourage Pakatan to kick out PAS, I think it is a really poor strategy to even consider giving up a seat to PAS. Frankly, Terence, you are simply out of touch with political strategy.

Husam and Mat Sabu are good fellas, but as long as they continue to remain in PAS and have no courage to leave, then we shouldn’t give any more concessions to them.

Voice: I don’t see any good reason or rationale on why we should loan the seat to PAS. Recent developments showed that PAS – under party president Abdul Hadi Awang and his gang – is difficult to be trusted.

It’s not that we don’t trust Husam, but I’m sorry to say the move doesn’t make sense, nor will it give any advantage to Pakatan. PKR, under Pakatan, should continue to field its candidate.

This is an opportunity to see where PAS stands and whether it will give its sincere support in solidarity with Pakatan coalition partners.

Pputeh: I don’t trust PAS one bit. No way should this seat be given to to PAS. We have had enough of their nonsense.

If the moderates in PAS have a brain of their own, then they should leave the party. It’s these silent guys in PAS like Khalid Samad, who should just quit the party. No way will we vote for PAS or hudud.

RCZ: Terence is talking rubbish. Let PKR decide who to field in this seat, after getting feedback from the ground and doing their homework. This is not about strategies, but reality.

Furthermore, the people are disgusted and suspicious of PAS and their antics, so don’t make them choose. Give them what they want i.e. an honourable candidate who will fight for all races and fight to take over Putrajaya, and nothing else.

We don’t need a candidate who wants to fight for Putrajaya and other things on their separate and selfish agendas.

The voice of the wilderness: Husam Musa, Mat Sabu… I love you both, but have you the courage to walk out of PAS, or alternatively, have a campaign to dump Hadi? Do it, and you will be the worthy candidate for the Permatang Pauh by-election.

If either of you are not ready to do that, we too will not be ready to accept a PAS candidate… no one gets a free dinner.

I still think one of Anwar’s daughters should be the contestant… at least she is young and vibrant. It will be a good training ground for a future leader in Pakatan, and she will definitely not be a frog.

PAS has created too many doubts in the minds of the electorate, it is hardly a time to test the mood of disappointed Pakatan supporters. Therefore, it is not a wise move to pick a PAS candidate, no matter how moderate he may be. Let the status quo be the order of the day.

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