By Kuek Ser Kuang Keng | MalaysiaKini

Pakatan Rakyat supporters were told to be realistic in their target for Tenang, which is to reduce BN’s majority instead of winning the by-election.

“We need to be realistic. It is not easy to win this by-election,” said DAP leader Lim Kit Siang at PAS’ candidacy announcement ceremony last night in Labis.

“If we could reduce the over-2,400 majority of Umno and BN in the 2008 general election, it would be a victory for the people and Pakatan Rakyat, paving the way for the next general election.”

He pointed out that should the BN majority be reduced, it would mean the political tsunami in 2008 that spared Johor had hit the southern state and Johor is no longer a BN ‘fixed deposit’.

BN retained the state seat in the last general election with a 2,492 majority.

Lim (left) also slammed the recent statement by Prime Minister and BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak, that he would veto potential candidates of BN component parties to ensure only winnable candidates stood for BN in the next election.

“Since when has there been a veto power? All the candidates were decided by component parties. Since when has the veto power been in the hands of the BN chairperson?

“If the component parties are not happy with Umno’s candidate, can they have veto power? This shows Umno hegemony is getting more serious. This is not 1Malaysia, this is against 1Malaysia.”

He stressed that Umno has not undergone a radical change since the last general election, and the only way to change the ruling party is through the ballot box.

“To change Umno, you need to have a Pakatan Johor state and change the government of Putrajaya,” said Lim told the excited crowd of 1,000.

Struggling for common objectives

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who was recently embroiled in the controversial Christmas Eve dinner between PAS and Umno leaders, reiterated that the party will remain an ally of DAP and PKR.

“We work with DAP because DAP is a party for poor people. It is easier to work with poor people, because PAS is also a poor party,” he quipped, sending the audience into guffaws.

“We work with PKR because PKR is a party for oppressed and victimised people.”

Hadi (left) said the the three parties are struggling for common objectives and to celebrate the differences among them such as religion, language and culture.

At a press conference later, he commented that the creation of an Islamic state (should Pakatan form the federal government) is a non-issue.

“This issue does not arise because we have held two (Pakatan) conventions (and resolved the differences in views). What is important is not the name of the state but what is implemented. We emphasise on our common point which is the concept of the welfare nation. All religions support welfare.

“If MCA wants to raise it (Islamic state), it shows they are bankrupt of ideas,” he said.

According to Lim, MCA had started their campaign in the constituency by accusing DAP of supporting PAS’ agenda to establish an Islamic state.