By TK Chua

Tony Pua is probably smarter and more capable than many of us. That is why he is a leader. I believe other leaders in DAP and PKR too are smart and capable when it comes to strategy formulation and negotiations.

However, sometimes we are too smart and calculative for our own good. We forget the value of wisdom; we forget that mathematical trade-offs don’t always matter. If both parties had been willing to give more than they received, the current problems facing DAP and PKR in Sarawak for the May 7 election would not have seen the light of day.

Voters are not machines. They cannot be switched on and off at will. Do not also trivialise the matter by saying the current dispute over six seats will not affect other constituencies. Maybe that is the problem with people who are too mechanical in their thinking. May I remind these people that there are such things as sentiments, confidence and unity of purpose that should be nurtured before going to “war”?

Component parties in Pakatan Harapan are already facing an uphill battle especially in rural constituencies in Sarawak. Openly disputing the tussle for six seats and now angrily blaming each other for the mess, will only worsen an already ugly situation. Please do not for a minute think that by making the other party more culpable, your party is going to look better in the eyes of the voters. Even your own party supporters are now boiling with anger that negotiations for seat allocation ended in bitter conflict.

I think motives and attitudes are important here. There must be a genuine desire to work together for a better Malaysia, rather than the two parties needing each other to win the election. If the motive is right, does it matter who takes the initiative to call the other party if there is a problem to be resolved? If the attitude is right, why can’t they negotiate even if it is the last hour or the last minute?

I know this suggestion is easier said than done, however I also believe in “never say never” no matter how difficult or protracted an issue is, unless one of the parties is governed by bad intention or fundamental differences in policies. If the intention is right, both parties should be happy for each other if either of them wins.

Maybe my view is too simplistic or idealistic. Maybe because I did not experience for myself the frustration of those engaged in the long and protracted negotiations. I would like to believe however that both DAP, PKR and Amanah are governed by common policies that are universal and inclusive. Seat negotiations cannot be that difficult to decide upon unless they have only been paying lip service to their policies and objectives.

The sins of Barisan Nasional should not be repeated. That is why the people’s expectation of Pakatan Harapan is so high. Pakatan Harapan component parties must demonstrate their ability to work together unequivocally and without reservation.

This is not a minor issue that can be dismissed as “spilt milk” as described by Tony Pua. I urge DAP and PKR not to apportion blame any longer. I urge them to go back to the negotiation table and not to leave it until the issues are resolved. Learn to be humble – the voters, your colleagues and even your opponents will respect you more for it.

Again, I know this is easier said than done. That is why all of you are leaders, and I am not.

T K Chua is an FMT reader.

With a firm belief in freedom of expression and without prejudice, FMT tries its best to share reliable content from third parties. Such articles are strictly the writer’s personal opinion. FMT does not necessarily endorse the views or opinions given by any third party content provider.