Umech-PDC called off collaboration, but will Koon Yeow survive?

After months of controversy surrounding the collaboration between Umech Construction Sdn Bhd and Penang Development Corporation involving a piece of land in Batu Kawan, CM Chow Koon Yeow called off the deal to develop Batu Kawan Industrial Park 2 last week. 

Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce President, Dato Seri Hong Yeam Wah questioned the  undervalued sales of 558.96 acres of the said land to Umech in early October. Life Honorary President of the PCCC, Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping raised issue with the financial capability of Umech and revealed the deal to flip it to Sunway.  

Talk is Kok Ping had also put up a bid at a higher price but lost out. Koon Yeow should have taken the criticism constructively, said his former Deputy, P Ramasamy, but he chose to respond with a threat to sue Kok Ping. 

As President of PCCC, it was the influence of Kok Ping that led to the fall of Gerakan-led BN government for DAP to takeover. Since suffering from cancer, he has been reclusive for quite sometime. This issue brought out the fighter in him. 

Kok Ping was heard to have said if he falls, Koon Yeow will fall together. That explains the derogatory remark towards Koon Yeow. Its October 30th, 11 days after he issued the threat, will Koon Yeow dare proceed with it?  

Kok Ping is not without his story. 

Corporate Secret described as a gambling taukey with his own chequered history and collusion with Lim Guan Eng. As then President of PCCC, he had invited Guan Eng's wife, Betty Chew to be a member of the Property Services Committee of PCCC. She declined following the public furore.   

For DAP whose used to haunt the previous UMNO government in the past with allegations of corruption, whether justified or not, Koon Yeow reaction shows DAP in an unfamiliar position at the receiving end of another DAP CM caught in another financial impropriety. 

It is also understandable for Koon Yeow to resist because there was talk he would be replaced and DAP Penang under his leadership is not as steady as it seemed. 

None of Koon Yeow's men survived the DAP Penang party election. It is still Guan Eng dominating DAP Penang. 

It is quite a change from July last year before GE15 in which Koon Yeow was the only choice available. Come November, other names begin to creep in including a Lim sister.      

Prior to the six state elections which include Penang, the same talk surfaced again. Other than Lim Hui Yeng, Steven Sim was touted as a potential CM replacement. 

By July, it got stronger. Hui Yeng and Sim were not nominated for the state election, but another potential in Paya Terubong state assemblyman, Wong Hon Wai been talked about.

With this controversy and the voice of Kok Ping is expected to be louder in the weeks to come, Koon Yeow days looks numbered. 

Its not easy to peddle competency, accountability and transparency as a political narrative, but to be caught. 

It is a Politics 101 lesson to former Pakatan Rakyat  component parties; be it PAS as the dominant party in Perikatan Nasional, DAP as the dominant state government of Penang, and PKR as the PM's party leading the Unity Government. 

Political narratives and promises made will eventually come back to haunt in the manner the baptism of fire for Rafizi from his GE13 and 14 campaigns. A matter of waiting for the tipping point to come. So be reasonable in attacking one's political opponent. Avoid deceiving the masses. 

A lesson too for the green garbs and white skullcaps.