JOHOR BARU: Johor MCA Youth has questioned the alliance of the Opposition parties, saying that Pakatan Harapan has been unable to define its identity.

       Its deputy chief Tai Chee How said the Opposition’s on-and-off use of the Pakatan banner in the Melaka, Sarawak and Johor elections showed their inability to “reach the stability they wanted”.

       He said DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) vice-chief Muhammad Shakir Ameer Mohideen’s claims that the Pakatan-Muda cooperation could bring stability to the country’s politics was untenable as the Opposition coalition does not know which parties it represents.

       “They cannot even agree upon a common logo for the state election, so where is the stability?” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Tai said that having a solid and united coalition was a basic condition “before we even talk about pushing for policies, developing plans and promoting national economic development”.

       He also said it was public knowledge that PKR and Muda are in disagreement over seat negotiations.

       Separately, Johor Wanita MCA chief Wong You Fong suggested to state DAP deputy chairman Teo Nie Ching that she ought not to object to something just for the sake of it.

       Wong’s comment was in reference to the Election Commission’s (EC) standard operating procedure for the Johor election, which allows political parties to hold physical ceramah and campaigning provided they had obtained a police permit to do so.

       She said this move was to ensure the people’s safety and for the SOP to be adhered to throughout the election period.

       “This is also to strike a balance between democracy and our fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” she added.

       Teo said on Monday that having to obtain a permit from the police to conduct a ceramah was regressive and warned that it could lead to biases.

       On Feb 18, the EC announced that ceramah, talks, physical campaigning and house-to-house visits will be allowed throughout the 14-day campaign period for the Johor polls.

       Only 100 people are allowed at ceramah and campaigns that are to be held at party offices and official operation rooms for two hours and end before 10pm.