In my many years in politics, I thought I had seen it all, until I witnessed, in utter disbelief the cold shoulder and overt snub by Penang PAS Secretary Iszuree Ibrahim, at a recent PAS ceramah in Sungai Dua when he clearly uttered the words “Tak boleh. You go away” to the President of Gerakan and Penang Perikatan Nasional Chairman Dominic Lau, who is a coalition partner in Perikatan Nasional over a seat allocation spat between PAS and Gerakan.
2 days later as Gerakan and PAS scrambled for damage control, Dominic Lau sheepishly double backed, after denying earlier that he was snubbed by Pas, and says now he has accepted PAS’ apology and asked for everyone to move on.
This apology did not come from Iszuree Ibrahim, who was tight-lipped and merely stated “no comment”. It instead came from the PAS Secretary General Takiyuddin Hassan.
Never had I seen a President of a party in a coalition publicly treated in this humiliating and belittling manner. It should never had happened in the first place if they had a genuine coalition consensus.
But Dominic Lau’s response, which was a face-palm moment.
At this stage, and despite all, it is really a shame that Gerakan fallaciously believes that it is relevant to PAS, in its futile quest to capture votes, especially in Penang.
Even a Penang Gerakan leader mentioned that this is the second time that PAS has apologised to Gerakan. A typical case of “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me” – or is Gerakan waiting for a hattrick for a third insult to come their way? Gerakan coyly defended the whole circus act by saying one man’s behaviour does not reflect the whole organisation. But I say it does, especially when it has happened twice.
Are Penangites to be inspired and encouraged to vote for Gerakan when they allow PAS to walk all over them – more than once?
Voters expect a leader who is courageous, principled, but not an apologist, and what more, to an extremist party like PAS.
Dominic Lau, an insult of this nature by PAS on you, is an insult to all Gerakan members, and a half-baked apology is no apology.
Heed the call by PAS Penang and leave the coalition if you still have any thread of self respect and dignity left.