A BN-PR unity government? 28 February 2009

Malaysian Insider reports that PAS President, Mr. Abdul Hadi Awang mooted the idea of a ‘unity government’, to face the current economic turmoil.

We must first detach the spin that Malaysian Insider has placed upon Mr. Hadi’s call. The news portal website claimed that Mr. Hadi’s proposal was a ’sign that Pas has yet to abandon the idea of forging a closer relationship with Umno’. Yes, PAS last year was ravaged with factionalism over the ‘muzakarah’ with UMNO for ‘Malay-Muslim’ unity, and Mr. Hadi has been ‘implicated’ in the attempts to do so by certain leaders within PAS. However, seeing Mr. Hadi’s statements recently, I do feel that the ‘muzakarah’ faction in PAS no longer entertains the idea with any serious thought.

A reading of the article will reveal that Mr. Hadi never said that the unity government that he proposed was one based on Malay-Muslim unity. His proposal was within the context of national unity. By saying that he has yet to moot the idea to the Pakatan Rakyat leadership, it implies that his suggestion is not a PAS-UMNO government, but a bi-partisan, Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Rakyat government. He said:

We need to look common ground in uniting political parties in carrying out responsibilities, it’s not that we cannot disagree, but we want this common ground to be given priority, before we spend our time on issues that we disagree on.

Most importantly, the people must be united. It has to take precedence over party interest. Let us sacrifice some of our rights sincerely for the sake of saving our country.

I wish to suggest to the outgoing Prime Minister to make some changes, to at least complete his agenda in reforming the judiciary, eradicating corruption and I believe Barisan Nasional cannot do it alone.

To do it fairly it must involve all parties, in times of crisis it is important for all of to carry out our duties collectively.

So the knee-jerk reaction by some at his suggestion is unfair to Mr. Hadi. He has tried to bridge the political divide with his suggestion, and it seems to me that he is sincerely trying end our political woes, especially when we are staring at recession in the face. Indeed, the first Finance Minister and Prime Minister designate, Mr. Najib Razak, has announced that the fourth quarter GDP for our nation is at 0.1%. That is how close we are to a recession.

A ‘unity government’, or ‘national government’, is a broad coalition government consisting of all, or at least all major, political parties in times of national crisis or emergency. Indeed, after the race riots of 1969, a unity government was formed with opposition parties like Gerakan (at that time) and PAS joining Barisan Nasional. Of course, we all know that PAS was later kicked out of BN after it was no longer useful. Yet a unity government is not at all alien to our nation. Even UMNO veteran and Gua Musang MP Mr. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah mooted the idea as recently as last year.

Many feel that the level of politicking in this country has reached an unbearable high. Politicians are more concerned at scoring political points over one another, whilst the rakyat are left to cope with the economic turmoil. A unity government, in theory, would certainly reduce the amount of politicking by these politicians and allow them to focus on brining the nation out of it’s financial rut.

Yet, a unity government will only be as successful as the individuals that make it up. It can only work if both sides agree to work together for the common good of the nation, to set aside political differences for a common goal. Unfortunately, I do not think that our politicians are mature enough and selfless enough to make such a government work. We will probably see more bickering between politicians, with party A trying to upstage party B even though they are effectively in the same government. If you thought the current government is a flip-flop one, a BN-PR government will see more flip-flops than a footwear store!

Politics in Malaysia has come to a point that there is animosity between the parties. So much so that it would be very difficult to set the two main coalitions upon a common table, let alone to reach a consensus. A BN-PR unity government at this point in time would result in a non-functioning government, which would worsen the situtation.

Further, there is also the problem with allocating parties to a respective portfolio. I’m sure DAP or PKR would want the Finance portfolio. PR would not allow BN to hold the powerful Home Ministry portfolio. Who would become the PM and DPM? These questions are difficult to answer and may never be answered.

Thus, whilst I applaud Mr. Hadi for trying to look at the bigger picture, I must say that I feel that his suggestion is doomed for failure. Much as I want PR to be part of the government, just to ‘balance’ BN’s control of the nation, the reality is the idea is too forward thinking and too idealistic to succeed.

Thank goodness, PAS, part II 31 July 2008

In my previous post, I have stated that I am not a PAS member nor supporter. Yet, I have a great deal of respect for the party.

So over the past week or so, I found myself having to defend PAS’ integrity and trustworthiness after it was revealed that some of its’ leaders had spoken to Pak Lah and UMNO, purportedly over the issue of ‘Malay unity’ and Islam.

Pakatan supporters, especially the non-Malays, were quick to denounce the party, saying that PAS had betrayed the people’s trust that were vested upon them by the March 8 tsunami. In fact, a senior Pakatan politician, Mr. Karpal Singh, has even questioned PAS’ membership in the loose PKR-DAP-PAS coalition, a move that I thought was very foolish.

It seemed to me that the very people who usually dismiss the media’s biased reporting and story-spinning had in this instance, believed the very same publications that they have shunned. In Malaysiakini (a news portal that I consider to be the most independent in the country), many letters and opinions were put forth, accusing the Islamist party as hypocrites and betrayers and this view was echoed by many bloggers.

In fact, a friend of mine who claims to be a die-hard Anwar and Pakatan supporter had told me that PAS had betrayed the non-Malays and he declared that he will not vote for PAS again (when in fact, he didn’t even register to vote in the last election).

I think it’s because to most non-Malays, PAS is an unknown entity that they were only acquainted with in the last elections. Before that, the Islamist party has been portrayed by the media as extremists, fundementalist and Taliban-esque. I think that the ‘PAS-bias’ within some of us is too strong to shake off completely. All the media had to do was play the issue to the hilt, and before long, some of us started to turn against the party.

To me, it is unfair and premature to judge PAS as betrayers and hypocrites, especially when there were no political co-operation that ever took place between the two parties. Yes, there were ’secret’ meetings, in which offers were made, especially in Perak and Selangor, but at that point in time, ‘Pakatan Rakyat’ has not been formed. Between the three parties, there was only an understanding with regards to seats. Thus PAS had all the right to listen to whomever they wish. The fact of the matter is, even though offers were made to form coalition governments in Selangor and Perak, the Islamist party had rejected them. That is why we have the Pakatan Rakyat governments in those two states. Yet, many people seemed to have conveniently disregarded this very important fact.

And these PAS accusers have not even bothered to find out the story from PAS’ side. If they had, they would know that despite the efforts by a small minority of leaders within PAS, the majority of its supporters and leaders strongly reject any co-operation with UMNO. All the news that they received on the issue came from the mainstream media.

PAS is a principled party. I believe that it will not abandon its principle simply for the sake of power and positions. PAS had fought the unjust UMNO-BN regime for a very long time. It’s grassroots had sacrificed  time, money and effort, to help out in campaigns and rallies. Do you think that these ‘battle-hardened’ men and women can ever ‘kiss and make up’ with their arch-enemies?

When some of us sympathized and did not believe the allegations against Mr. Anwar Ibrahim 1998, we do nothing but shake our heads. Yet PAS supporters showed their support to Mr. Anwar by helping his cause.

When most of us who bicker and complain about unfair elections, PAS members turned out in droves onto Kuala Lumpur to demand free and fair elections during the BERSIH rally.

When most of us bitch about the high cost of petrol but we do nothing and let the government milk us for all we’re worth, PAS helped organize a rally to protest against the fuel hike.

And all of a sudden, because UMNO started courting PAS, we accuse the party of being hypocritical.

But aren’t we the real hypocrites? Hypocrites who want PAS to fight for us, yet do not even allow them to explain themselves over this whole muzakarah issue?

Taken from news portal Siasahdaily:

PAS tolak sebarang kerjasama dengan UMNO

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Julai: Selepas bermesyuarat selama lima jam, PAS memutuskan tidak akan mengadakan sebarang kerjasama dengan Umno samada di peringkat negeri atau pusat tetapi sedia berjumpa dengan mana-mana pihak di negara ini.

“Oleh itu, tidak berbangkit soal PAS menerima tawaran dari Umno,” kata Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang kepada sidang media selepas mesyuarat khas Jawatankuasa PAS Pusat dan Majlis Syura Ulamak di Pejabat Agung PAS hari ini.

Beliau dengan ditemani oleh Setiausaha Agung, Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar dan Ketua Muslimat, Nuridah Salleh membaca keputusan tiga perkara dalam mesyuarat itu hari ini.

Keputusan itu adalah:-

1) PAS tidak akan ada sebarang kerjasama dengan Umno.
2) PAS terbuka untuk bertemu dengan semua pihak, NGO atau parti politik.
3) PAS akan kekal bersama Pakatan Rakyat dan akan bergerak secara aktif dan positif dalam Pakatan. Untuk itu PAS akan berusaha untuk memujuk anggota Parlimen Umno untuk menyertai PAS atau PKR dalam Pakatan bagi membentu kerajaan baru.

Ketika menjawab persoalan dari wartawan, Abdul Hadi berkata, selepas ini jika ada sebarang pertemuan tidak akan dijalankan secara sulit lagi.

PAS juga, katanya, menghargai sokongan orang bukan Islam dan akan meningkat pengiktirafan kepada mereka selepas ini.

PAS juga, katanya, menyokong penuh Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan mencadangkan kerajaan menghakimi kes dakwaan terhadap beliau menurut hukum Islam.

“Jika tidak ada, Umno bertanggungjawab untuk membolehkannya,” kata Abdul Hadi dalam sidang media yang berlangsung hanya kira-kira lima minit bermula jam tiga petang itu.

I feel vindicated when I heard the news.

There should be no more confusion after Mr. Hadi Awang’s firm statement of PAS’ stance regarding the issues plaguing it recently.  PAS has firmly rejected UMNO’s offer and has re-affirmed its commitment to Pakatan Rakyat. After this, there should be no more talks of PAS-UMNO co-operation and no more baseless accusations against the party.

Some of us might not agree to PAS’ proposal for an Islamic state. Some of us might not agree with certain  actions by the party that we consider as ‘conservative’. I have no problems if you were to disagree with PAS’ stance on these issue.

But I hope after this, before we accuse PAS of being all sorts of unsavory things like backstabbers and betrayers,  we should at the very least, give them a chance to state their stand.

Breathe easy. PAS has not and will not betray our aspirations as manifested in the last elections.

Spin, media, spin! 30 July 2008

Be wary of the BN-controlled mainstream media.

They are masters at ’spinning’ stories. In fact, they’re so good at what they do that even BN leaders themselves fell for their spin. Look at the media onslaught prior to the March elections. They painted such a rosy picture for Barisan that their masters themselves thought that they still had the rakyat’s support. That is why when the tsunami hit, they were left speechless, trying to pick up the broken pieces of their parties, conducting postmortems after postmortems.

Yet the media has not stopped spinning. Their target? Systematic attacks on the opposition Pakatan Rakyat and the 5 states they control.

UMNO controlled Utusan Malaysia continuously plays the racial card with its readers, with notions that the fictitious ketuanan Melayu is at risk by non-Malays. English dailies like the Star and NST on the other hand are playing up to the fears of the non-Malays, especially with Islamist party PAS.

With the recent muzakarah issue between UMNO and PAS, both the English and Malay language medias have a common source to spin their stories. Utusan played the issue of muzakarah for ‘Malay unity’, whilst the English dailes aim to create fear and distrust amongst Pakatan supporters.

Let’s see how the media spin the statements from Tuan Guru Nik Aziz today. I quote here a Bernama report, taken from the Star:

PAS proposes hudud laws if it merges with UMNO

KOTA BARU: PAS will propose the implementation of hudud and qisas laws, among other things, if the proposed PAS-Umno merger becomes a reality.

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the proposal was in line with Islamic principles and could be implemented if both parties, which were now having ongoing discussions on Malay and Muslim issues, agreed to it towards forming a new political entity.

In Islamic law or syariah, hudud usually refers to the class of punishments which are fixed for certain crimes, including theft, robbery, illicit sex, alcohol consumption and apostasy, where the punishment for these offences are corporal in nature.

Qisas (law of retaliation) refers to offences that involve bodily injury or loss of life, the punishment of which is death or imprisonment, but compensation in the form of money or property is accepted if the guardian of the victim forgives the offender.

Nik Aziz said in the muqabalah (discussion) spirit between PAS and Umno, any cooperation in forming a new political entity must be based on Islam, including implementing hudud laws as required by the religion.

“What worries me is that if the pact materialises, there’ll be people trying to sabotage it by putting up an independent candidate who is against the proposal, to challenge our candidate,” the Kelantan Mentri Besar told reporters after launching a building fund for the Baraah mosque here on Wednesday.

He said based on the spirit of democracy in the country, all quarters including Umno and the Chinese and Indians could hold discussions and give their views towards a better understanding of Islam and its laws.

However, he said, what was of utmost importance to him was ensuring the success of the PAS-Umno dialogue first before discussing the future of the Muslim community in this country.

On Perak Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali’s offer for PAS to form a new coalition state government with Barisan Nasional for Malay political unity and Islamic interests, Nik Aziz said the matter would be discussed at the party’s Central Working Committee meeting at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. — Bernama

But what did the mursyidul am really said? Here is the report from Harakahdaily:

UMNO Perak kini semakin gelabah

KOTA BHARU, 30 Julai (Hrkh) – Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat menyifatkan pelawaan Umno untuk menubuhkan kerajaan bersama PAS di Perak menggambarkan parti itu kini semakin gelabah.

Mursyidul Am PAS berkata, pelawaan itu membuktikan parti tersebut begitu menyesal terhadap apa yang telah dilakukan terhadap PAS selama ini sehingga terpaksa mengajak untuk bergabung sekarang.

Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan majlis pelancaran tabung Penambahbaikan Masjid Al-Baraah dan Ceramah Israk Mikraj di perkarangan Pasar Besar Siti Khatijah hari ini katanya, tindakan seperti dilakukan Umno Perak menggambarkan mereka bermasalah.

“Kalau di dunia sudah memperlihatkan masalah, apa lagi kalau di akhirat, lagi bermasalah,” kata beliau.

Kelmarin Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan Umno Perak, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali dilaporkan mengajak PAS menubuh kerajaan campuran di Perak sebagai simbol perpaduan Islam dan Melayu.

Ekoran tawaran tersebut Dewan Pemuda PAS Kubang Kerian petang semalam membuat laporan polis kerana menyifatkan tindakan bekas Menteri Besar Perak itu mempunyai unsur-unsur rasuah.

Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz yang juga Menteri Besar Kelantan bagaimanapun berkata, keputusan mengenai perkara akan dibuat dalam mesyuarat jawatankuasa PAS Pusat di Kuala Lumpur esok.

Beliau yang akan menghadiri mesyuarat itu esok menjelaskan pendiriannya tetap sama sebagaimana sebelum ini iaitu muqabalah dibolehkan dengan Umno dan tidak mungkin untuk bergabung dalam pakatan politik.

“Muqabalah dengan sesiapa sahaja boleh, sebab Islam sendiri telah mengajar pertemuan perlu diadakan sekiranya ia dapat menyelesaikan masalah masyarakat.

“Nabi Muhammad saw pernah mengadakan muqabalah dengan kaum musyrikin untuk menyelesaikan masalah masyarakat di zaman baginda.

“Begitu juga sekarang muqabalah dengan sesiapa pun boleh, tetapi jangan libatkan gabungan politik,” ujarnya.

Menurutnya, muqabalah, muzakarah, musyawarah atau seumpamanya tiada masalah diadakan, sebaliknya berbincang politik dengan parti lawan (Umno) perlu berhati-hati kerana peristiwa lama telah berlaku 50 tahun lalu.

Beliau menegaskan PAS memang terluka hati dengan tindakan Umno menyingkir PAS setelah bergabung dalam Barisan Nasional pada 1970-an.

“Peristiwa Memali, peristiwa Lubuk Merbau, penubuhan Jabatan Pembangunan Persekutuan di Kelantan dan membatal pendaratan minyak dan gas di Pantai Senok Bachok adalah antara peristiwa yang tidak mudah dilupakan,” ujarnya.

Beliau juga berkata, muqabalah yang diadakan di antara pemimpin PAS dan Umno sebelum ini menyebabkan situasi tidak tenang berlaku di kalangan penyokong PAS.

“Mereka marah saya macam-macam sehingga pedih telinga mendengarnya,” ujar beliau. – mj

What the Tuan Guru said about muqabalah or muzakarah is not mentioned in the Bernama report at all.

“Begitu juga sekarang muqabalah dengan sesiapa pun boleh, tetapi jangan libatkan gabungan politik,”

Similarly, his remark about PAS supporters being angry:

“Mereka marah saya macam-macam sehingga pedih telinga mendengarnya,”

And of course, his remark about UMNO Perak:

“Kalau di dunia sudah memperlihatkan masalah, apa lagi kalau di akhirat, lagi bermasalah,”

The Tuan Guru’s position on the whole issue is clear from the start. You can muqabalah all you want, but it must not involve any political co-operation.

Unfortunately, many of us still fall for the mainstream media’s trap. Even so-called Pakatan ’supporters’. And even some veteran politicians in Pakatan itself.

And the foolishness of… 27 July 2008

Taken from Malaysiakini:

Should PAS be allowed to remain in Pakatan?

Pakatan Rakyat should seriously consider whether Islamic party PAS should be allowed membership in the opposition coalition, said DAP chairman Karpal Singh.

The veteran politician has raised a number of troubling actions by PAS leaders which have “thrown grave doubt” over their credibility.

“After the March 8 general elections, PAS had talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor. This was an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of such a move by PAS,” said Karpal in a statement.

He added that PAS leaders had also met with their Umno rivals in the name of Malay unity.

“Such a racial move by PAS is incongruous with the policies of DAP and Pakatan Rakyat,” said Karpal.

He also took issue with the suggestion by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat that Umno and PAS be dissolved and a new Malay-based party be formed.

“Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and consequences,” said Karpal.

Nasha: Malays begin to believe sodomy charges

The lawyer-cum-politician who defended PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim against sodomy charges 10 years ago was also upset by PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa’s remarks on the fresh round of sodomy allegations.

According to Nasharuddin, the Malays were beginning to believe the sodomy allegations against Anwar, which was made by one of his former aides, Saiful Bukhary Azlan.

“Why did Nasharuddin make such a statement? In making the statement, he has committed PAS as a whole, he being its secretary-general,” said Karpal.

“Nasharuddin’s statement is not only contemptuous and ill-advised, but an open attack on Anwar who is presently embroiled in efforts to tarnish his credibility by allegations of sodomy.”

Karpal said that Malaysians have sent a clear message by voting along non-racial lines in the general elections five months ago.

“Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays,” he lamented.

“PAS should not, and cannot, be allowed to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds lest it be devoured by the hounds.”

The veteran politician has raised a number of troubling actions by PAS leaders which have “thrown grave doubt” over their credibility.

“After the March 8 general elections, PAS had talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor. This was an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of such a move by PAS,” said Karpal in a statement.

He added that PAS leaders had also met with their Umno rivals in the name of Malay unity.

“Such a racial move by PAS is incongruous with the policies of DAP and Pakatan Rakyat,” said Karpal.

He also took issue with the suggestion by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat that Umno and PAS be dissolved and a new Malay-based party be formed.

“Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and consequences,” said Karpal.

Nasha: Malays begin to believe sodomy charges

The lawyer-cum-politician who defended PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim against sodomy charges 10 years ago was also upset by PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa’s remarks on the fresh round of sodomy allegations.

According to Nasharuddin, the Malays were beginning to believe the sodomy allegations against Anwar, which was made by one of his former aides, Saiful Bukhary Azlan.

“Why did Nasharuddin make such a statement? In making the statement, he has committed PAS as a whole, he being its secretary-general,” said Karpal.

“Nasharuddin’s statement is not only contemptuous and ill-advised, but an open attack on Anwar who is presently embroiled in efforts to tarnish his credibility by allegations of sodomy.”

Karpal said that Malaysians have sent a clear message by voting along non-racial lines in the general elections five months ago.

“Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays,” he lamented.

“PAS should not, and cannot, be allowed to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds lest it be devoured by the hounds.”

Mr. Karpal, I seriously think you should consider what you say before you say something. Your statement is not helping matters at all, and I shudder to think what the ramifications might be after this.

You should know very well that the mainstream media is going to go to town with your statement. And however much some of us try not to fall for the media’s manipulation, some of us will still fall prey to it. They’re just hoping someone from PAS to provide a retort, or someone else from DAP or PKR to echo your views. It is not  difficult to imagine Pakatan disintegrating because of your statement.

And your statement itself is rife with errors and inaccuracies.

You said that after the 12th General Elections, PAS leaders met with UMNO leaders to form a coalition to rule Selangor. You said that this was in ‘bad faith’, as DAP and PKR were not consulted. However, did you forget that at that time, Pakatan have yet to be formed? Officially, there was no relationship or coalition between the parties, just an ‘understanding’ with regards to seat allocation. Why would PAS need to notify PKR and DAP of it’s meeting with UMNO at that time?

Did you also disregard the fact that even though UMNO offered to rule Selangor jointly with PAS, PAS had declined UMNO’s offer? Yes, they met, but the end result was that PAS had refused the offer by UMNO and as a result, we have the Pakatan ruled state of Selangor with Mr. Khalid Ibrahim as mentri besar. Does that count as nothing?

Mr. Karpal also took issue with Nik Aziz’s suggestion of dissolving PAS and UMNO and creating a new party based on Islam. Mr. Karpal is a seasoned politician, and he of all people should look into what the Tuan Guru said in it’s entirety and not simply responding recklessly. Did he forget that the Tuan Guru has gone on record to vehemently oppose any muzakarah with UMNO?

And lastly, Mr. Karpal has also exposed to us his ignorance of his party’s coalition partner when he referred to Mr. Nasharuddin Mat Isa as PAS’ secretary general. In actuality, Mr. Nasharuddin is PAS vice president.

I’m not denying that I’m also peeved at certain PAS leaders’ attempt to bring PAS closer to UMNO.  But I’m convinced that such attempts do not represent the sentiments of the majority of PAS leaders and supporters, most of whom want PAS to remain with Pakatan and want nothing to do with their arch-rival UMNO. But at the same time, I do think that Pakatan leaders should refrain themselves from making any adverse comments regarding this whole issue. Do not complicate this already complicated issues, as the repercussions can be huge.

If Pakatan breaks up, we will see a change in government in 4 of the 5 Pakatan-held states. If that happens, then truly, the aspirations of the voters as manifested on 8 March 2008 will be betrayed by the very people whom they were entrusted with.

Is Mr. Karpal willing to be partially responsible for that?

The genius of the Tuan Guru 27 July 2008

Yesterday, it was reported that Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat proposed that PAS and UMNO be dissolved and a new party be formed in it’s placed, with Islam as it’s axis. I don’t want to take the mainstream media’s reporting on it, so I’ll use Harakah:

Parti baru bertunjang Islam boleh satukan PAS, UMNO – Nik Aziz

MACHANG, 27 Julai (Hrkh) – Mursyidul Am PAS, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat mempelawa ahli-ahli serta penyokong Umno menyertai PAS bagi memastikan agama Islam dan nasib orang Melayu lebih terbela.

Kata beliau muqabalah (perbincangan) di antara pemimpin PAS dan Umno boleh diadakan bagi mencari kaedah satu parti sahaja bagi orang Islam dan Melayu di negara ini.

“Ini kerana PAS telah lama berjuang di atas landasan Islam. Saya pun tak faham mengapa orang Umno tidak mahu menyertai PAS, apa yang tidak kena bagi Umno tehadap PAS.

“Sedangkan kita terima hakikat bahawa Islam mesti diutamakan,” katanya selepas merasmikan Muktamar Dewan Ulama PAS Kelantan di Markas Dewan Ulama (Madu) di sini semalam.

Malah beliau berkata, sekiranya ahli Umno segan untuk menyertai PAS lebih baik menubuh parti baru yang juga berlandas Islam.

Ini kerana kata beliau ahli PAS sudah tentu tidak akan menyertai Umno.

Katanya, keinginan Umno mengajak PAS bermuzakarah boleh dilakukan sekiranya ia hanya berkaitan Islam.

Bagaimanapun kata beliau Umno seringkali tidak memberi kerjasama untuk melaksanakan program pembangunan di negeri ini dan isu tersebut tentunya boleh membantut diteruskan muqabalah.

“Lagi pun muzakarah yang dimaksudkan sebelum ini hanya lahir daripada Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan bukannya keputusan parti Umno itu sendiri.

“Muzakarah hanyalah kehendak Perdana Menteri dan bukannya Umno, kalaulah kita adakan muzakarah atau muqabalah, tiba-tiba Perhimpunan Agung Umno tidak bersetuju presidennya tak boleh buat apa-apa,” katanya.

Menurutnya juga muqabalah hendaklah hanya menyentuh aspek Islam sahaja bukannya melibatkan dasar parti kerana PAS perlu menjaga hubungan dengan parti-parti lain dalam Pakatan Rakyat.

“Saya amat menyokong sekiranya Umno dan PAS bubar dan kita tubuh satu parti baru dan parti tersebut hendaklah berlandaskan Islam,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Ketua Dewan Ulamak PAS Pusat, Datuk Mohamed Daud menyokong cadangan Menteri Besar Kelantan supaya Umno dan PAS dibubar untuk membolehkan parti baru yang berasas Islam ditubuh.

“Bagi Dewan Ulamak kami bersetuju memberi mandat kepada pemimpin parti seperti presiden, timbalan, naib dan setiausaha bermuqabalah dengan Umno,” katanya.

Beliau juga berkata, apa yang telah dibincangkan dengan Umno hendaklah dibawa kepada Majlis Syura Ulamak sebelum dibawa ke muktamar pertengahan Ogos depan.

Oleh itu beliau berharap tidak timbul sebarang fitnah hasil muqabalah dengan Umno.

Beliau juga meminta ahli PAS berlapang dada dan menyerah kepada kebijaksanaan pimpinan PAS bagi mengadakan sebarang muqabalah dengan Umno.

I must say, at first glance, I was taken aback at what the Tuan Guru had said. It would seem like he has given his ‘green light’ for some sort of merger between the parties, a position that was vastly different from his stance a few days ago.

But the Tuan Guru is a seasoned politician. And unlike the government, he’s not one to ‘flip flop’ his position in the matter of mere days. So his suggestion at forming a ‘new party’ must be read for its’ tersirat and tersurat meanings.

What the Tuan Guru has done is merely volleying back the ‘ball’ that Pak Lah served last week. Pak Lah’s revealation that he had met certain PAS leaders for talks had sent shockwaves within PAS and Pakatan Rakyat. So, by ‘proposing’ that a new party be formed, the Tuan Guru returned Pak Lah’s ‘ball’ into his own court.

Pak Lah and UMNO have been harping on muzakarah for the sake of ‘Malay unity’ and ‘Islam’, so what the Tuan Guru did was use their own rhetoric against them. If Pak Lah is so serious about safeguarding the interests of the Malays and Islam, dissolve UMNO!

The Tuan Guru KNOWS that no way will Pak Lah and UMNO disband the party, thus exposing that Pak Lah’s and UMNO’s insistance on muzakarah is merely a rhetoric to gain political mileage and to create discord within PAS and Pakatan.

The Tuan Guru is a clever political leader at his very best. He has turned this muzakarah issue on its head. After this, UMNO leaders will have to go on the defensive (they already have!).

Thank goodness, PAS 24 July 2008

I am not a PAS member and my views sometimes differ from the ones taken by the party. Yet I have a very healthy respect for the party. Out of all the major political party, it has so far been the most consistent and most trustworthy. With PAS, what you see is what you get. It will probably never compromise their dream of implementing sharia law and whilst you may not agree with PAS’ goal, you must nevertheless respect its right to have it as a goal.

As such, this whole PAS-UMNO muzakarah issue made me feel very uneasy. I did not want to believe that my trust in PAS has been betrayed for the sake of UMNO’s ‘Malay unity’ agenda. To me, although PAS members, like UMNO members, comprise of Malay Muslims, PAS Islamic stance does not allow it to entertain UMNO’s racialist politics. ‘Malays are for the Malays, but Islam is for all’, has always been PAS’ philosophy.

PAS, more so than it’s other partners in Pakatan, is an established party. It’s supporters are everywhere. Even in the traditional BN stronghold of Johore, PAS presence is growing. Even though I’m more inclined towards PKR’s multi-racial makeup, I will admit that I have a certain admiration and respect for certain PAS leaders. The Tuan Guru, for example, has led Kelantan for 18 years. Even with Barisan’s cruel machinations working against the state, the Mursyidul Am has governed it spirituality and leadership. It is said that so long as Tuan Guru Nik Aziz lives, Kelantan will never fall to Barisan.

The younger generation of leaders has also won my respect. VP Mr. Husam Musa represents the ‘new’ breed of PAS leaders, who are spiritual yet at the same time, able to project a ‘moderate’ image that is comfortable with non-Malays. Perak MB, Mr. Nizar, Youth leader Sallehuddin Ayub, Secretary General Kamaruddin Jaafar, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad and Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad are further examples of PAS leaders whom I respect. In fact, the last two leaders made news some months ago when they became the first two PAS leaders who visited churches in their constituencies, and probably the very few Malay-Muslim leaders who have done so.

UMNO-BN and its media has always portrayed PAS as extremist and fundamentalist. Yet, PAS has somehow has managed to ‘soften’ its image to appeal to non-Malays. This can be attributed to many factors; it’s new generation of leaders, it’s co-operation with PKR and to a lesser extant, DAP (before elections) and it’s ‘welfare state’ in place of it’s Islamic state manifesto. This ‘re-engineering’ of the PAS ‘brand’ coupled with the Anwar factor and the wave of anti-BN sentiments saw PAS reaping a handsome reward in the last elections. Indeed, PAS saw three of it’s own become MBs in the Pakatan held states of Kelantan, Kedah and Perak.

I must say, yesterday’s resolution from PAS Majlis Syura has made me breathe a little easier.

The council of ulamas reiterated PAS’ commitment in Pakatan Rakyat, rejecting further muzakarah or dialogue with arch-rival UMNO. Any further discussion between the two parties will be in the basis of muqabalah or ordinary meetings. And no questions of any form of political co-operations will be discussed, only those pertaining to Islam and Malaysia in general.

I will admit that I have no clear idea as to what the difference is between the two concepts of muzakarah and muqabalah. To the outsider, the two may not be different at all. Yet over the past few days, muzakarah has been perceived as ‘political co-operation’ between PAS and UMNO, even to the extant that some fear the two would either merge, or at the least, PAS will leave Pakatan and join Barisan Nasional.  Thus, by rejecting muzakarah, PAS has categorically stated it wants nothing to do with UMNO, politically.

Even before the Prime Minister’s revelation on Sunday that he had met PAS leaders three times to discuss Malay unity and Islamic issues, there were rumours swirling around that of some hanky panky going around behind the scenes with UMNO and certain PAS leaders. It was largely unknown to the general public, but it keeps cropping in PAS circles (read: blogs). Things started unraveling when PAS President, Mr. Hadi Awang, gave an interview with Harakah in a less than friendly tone with PAS partners in Pakatan. Then, the mainstream media starting playing with the issue and Pak Lah, in a rare moment of political acumen, made his revelation.

It was splashed all over the Sunday papers. People were confused; UMNO members, PAS members and leaders, Pakatan supporters all were left scratching their heads at Pak Lah’s statement. Mr. Hadi then admitted that PAS leaders had indeed met with the PM three times, causing even more confusion.

For a day or two, nothing can be heard from PAS leaders, the majority of whom are confused themselves. Only PAS’ spiritual adviser, the venerated Tuan Guru Nik Aziz, came out with statements opposing any form of muzakarah. His reasoning is simple: PAS must not be betrayed twice. Its unceremonious exit from Barisan Nasional in the 70s still hurts many PAS hearts.

On the net and in the streets, PAS supporters demanded an explanation. Some felt betrayed, many felt confused and many more opposed the move that is seen as an act of ’sleeping with the enemy’. They’re suspicious of UMNO’s insistence of muzakarah for the sake of Malay unity. They still remember the betrayal. Their greatest nightmare would be if PAS were to actually join BN or merge with UMNO. Never, they said. Never!

We must never forget that these members have ‘battled’ UMNO way before battling UMNO was ‘cool’.

Slowly, more and more PAS leaders came out with statements opposing the muzakarah. PAS Vice President, Mr. Husam Musa, it’s Information Chief and Pokok Sena MP Mr. Mahfuz Omar, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, Treasurer and Kuala Krai MP Mr. Hatta Ramli all echoed the sentiments of their Mursyidul Am. The strongest statement opposing the move came from it’s Youth wing from it’s Ketua Pemuda, Kubang Kerian MP Sallehuddin Ayub who stated that PAS Youth rejects any talks on political co-operation, and will only talk on issues pertaining to national importance and in relation to all Malaysians.

Therefore, the decision of the Majlis Syura was in line with the general sentiments within PAS. Talks are all right, but merge with UMNO? Never!

Yes, the general perception was that there were certain PAS leaders who wanted closer ties with UMNO. Yet, being the principled party that it is, the overwhelming majority of PAS leaders and supporters have rejected this attempt. I was worried as to what would occur, as I do not want Pakatan to break apart mere months after its formation, nor do I want to feel angry and betrayed with PAS. Thank goodness PAS as a whole has not given me a reason to do so.

No, PAS will never allow itself to dance along UMNO’s racial moves. No, PAS will never compromise its principles just for the promise of power and position. No, PAS will not betray the hope and aspirations of those that supported it and had voted for it, including many non-Malays and it’s own Kelab Penyokong PAS.

Now that we know that we can still trust the party, let PAS deal with the leaders within it that tried, in vain, to bring about it closer to the ‘devil’.