COMMENT The proposed snap polls in Penang is not about saving DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng or serving the narrow interests of the partners in Pakatan Harapan. It is about the strengthening of the forces of democracy against the rise of authoritarian politics best exemplified in the political practice of Umno/BN.

In a more specific sense, it is about ensuring that Malaysians have viable political alternative for the future.

DAP might not wait too long to either proceed unilaterally or call off the polls. At the same time, PKR must make the decision in the larger interests of the coalition. While Amanah has agreed to go along with DAP, PKR might be having its own fears about the polls.

The DAP central executive committee (CEC) has given the mandate for the DAP to hold the snap polls provided it obtains the consent of the coalition partners. Several rounds of talks have been held between the leaders of the component parties, but it is only PKR that has not given its consent. There are number of reasons why PKR fears snap polls in Penang.

First, there is fear that some of its candidates might not win in the snap polls if three-cornered contests take place. As it is, PAS has said it would contest in all the state constituencies.

Second, some in PKR continues to believe that snap polls is all about "saving" the chief minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, from being prosecuted and convicted. However, this myth has been dispelled countless time, but it continues to haunt some members of the coalition.

Third, while DAP wants to save Penang from falling into the hands of the BN, PKR wants to "save" Selangor from the designs of BN. In this respect, the political priorities of both the parties are quite different.

Fourth, PKR is concerned about the PAS factor. There is a fear that snap polls might endanger whatever relationship that PKR has with PAS, at least in Selangor.

Strengthening Harapan for GE

As for the DAP, snap polls are necessary at this political juncture for variety of reasons.

First, there is thinking within DAP circles that the politically motivated corruption charges against Guan Eng coupled with the US Department of Justice's civil suit against those who misappropriated funds from 1MDB will provide a conducive political environment for Harapan to take on BN.

Second, snap polls are not about saving Guan Eng from prosecution or from being convicted, it is about saving and strengthening Harapan as an alternative political formula to BN in the coming general elections.

Third, it is believed that snap polls might be the necessary recipe for injecting the much-needed political confidence amongst Malaysians who are tired about the dirty politics.

Fourth, currently without an effective mechanism to revitalise the opposition front at the national level, Harapan has taken on a feeble defensive posture. What is needed at the present political juncture is for the Harapan as a whole to take an offensive line towards BN.

There are obvious differences in the ways both the PKR and DAP view the necessity of snap polls. What is important is that political negotiations between the two parties be vigorously undertaken to narrow the differences so that a consensus could be arrived at.

This is the basis for the very existence of Harapan in the fist place. Both the parties should understand each other's concerns so that their political enemies do not exploit differences.

I still believe an open and frank discussion has yet to take place between the two fraternal political parties. It is still not too late, but a decision has to be made soon.

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.