Penang Pakatan Rakyat has shot down the idea for a two-party political system thrown up by the state MCA for the simple reason that a level playing field does not exist even within the Barisan Nasional, its leaders point out.

After its worst ever defeat in the 2008 general election, the state MCA expressed its desire to establish a two-party system there.

NONE State MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan ( left ) said the party should be given a chance to be the voice of the people in the Penang legislative assembly.

Since the 12th general election in 2008, many have been unhappy with the DAP as their promises and commitments to the people had not been fulfilled, he added.

"The state legislative assembly needs a monitoring system but there is a lack of seats held by parties other than Pakatan Rakyat representatives," he added.

The BN B holds only 11 seats in the legislature, all from Umno, giving the impression that coalition supporters vote along racial lines.

Gerakan, MCA and MIC suffered a disastrous trouncing in that polls, with the state leadership falling into Pakatan's hands.

"Therefore, any proposal done by DAP can be detrimental to the interest of Penangites as any law can be easily passed," said Lau in a statement.

"Pakatan's call for a two-party system is practically non-existent in the Penang state assembly," added the MCA central committee member.

No blind support for candidates

Lau said blind support for one party should not be encouraged, rather backing should go for a candidate able to serve the public, is people oriented, has good qualities and is approachable.

"A political system dominated by one party only will endanger democracy and freedom," he added.

In an immediate response, DAP's Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik asked Lau if MCA had ever believed in a two -party system before being shoved to the Opposition Bench.

He expressed suspicion in MCA's sudden desire for a two-party system in the country, and seem to only raise the issue after their loss in the last general election.

NONE "Whether we were in or out of government, we were always advocating for a two-party system," Ng ( right) told Malaysiakini .

"It is the only way out for us. We want a good government, but there must also be checks and balance," added the state DAP secretary.

"Do they (MCA) even know what a two- party system means? They have failed to be good 0pposition in the past three years," he said.

No level playing field

Meanwhile, PKR Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Sim Tze Tzin said as long as there is no level playing field for Pakatan, a two-party system would remain meaningless.

Sim said Pakatan is ignored by the mainstream media where only BN supporters or members get to whack the state government on a daily basis.

"This is merely a ploy to wrest Penang back from the Pakatan," he quipped.

Sim, who is Bayan Baru PKR division chief, said that there is already a voice for the opposition in the state assembly - 11 Umno reps.

"But what have they done except trumpet their old days as the state government (before 2008)," he said.

"They are not playing an effective checks and balance role. Even if they are more BN reps, they will only be defending their themselves and their cronies," he added.

"Don't expect any changes even if there is a two-party system as the only power behind BN is Umno, and would always remain so," he said.