The conflict among DAP, PKR and PAS in the Pakatan Rakyat over several issues lately is proof that the coalition is a marriage of convenience, said a spokesman for Gerakan’s publicity, information and communication bureau.

The spokesman said the three political parties are not serious partners in the coalition as each has its own ideology and agenda.

“They have different personalities and some are egoistic and arrogant, especially now they have power and think they can do anything they like,” said the spokesman in a statement, adding that it was a matter of time, the coalition would split.

The spokesman said it was not a coincidence that the three parties were having conflicts among themselves in Kedah, Penang and Selangor run by Pakatan Rakyat.

The spokesman said the PKR-DAP spat had worsened with row in the Selangor state assembly, with accusations being hurled against each other.

“The police have even been asked to investigate allegations that a Selangor state executive councilor had been using his office for meetings with members of the underworld. This is a serious matter,” said the spokesman.

In Kedah, the Kedah DAP put up a show, by threatening to pull out from the PAS-led state government because it was sidelined by the Islamic Party on decision making, notably the one on 50 per cent housing quota for Bumiputras. At one point, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak even refused to meet DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.

In Penang, Lim Guan Eng’s government sacked PKR’s Johari Kassim as a Seberang Prai Municipal Councilor for insubordination. A few months back, PR “paramount leader” Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ostensibly kept Lim “in the dark” over the resignation of Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin as Deputy Chief Minister and as Penanti State Assemblyman. It showed disrespect for Lim, who was reasonably upset.

The spokesman said the latest incident in Penang was the public outburst yesterday of Lim’s chief of staff, Jeff Ooi, against two PKR Penang Municipal Councilors. Ooi called one of them a “madman” and another a ponteng councilor (truant councilor).

“The leaders concerned could have settled their differences internally instead of making public statements unless their intention was to seek publicity to tell the whole world that they are around.”