Umno-PAS unity talk a test of PR's cohesion

I have never immersed myself into PAS politics but the recent development which took place in this Islamist party has somewhat caught my attention.

It all started with just a mere talk albeit secretive one between PAS and Umno on the possibility of forming a unity government soon after the March 8 general election last year.

While the talk remains just a mere talk as claimed by both parties and nothing concrete has yet taken its shape, the intention of few PAS leaders which includes its President, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and his newly elected deputy, Nasharuddin Mat Isa has generated much debate within the PR coalition.

The intention of these top two leaders in PAS nevertheless does not go down well with some of their colleagues within their own party including its spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and what more to say their partners in PR coalition.

The defeated PAS deputy presidential candidate, Datuk Husam Musa may decline the offer to sit in the central working committee while effort is being made to entice another defeated deputy presidential candidate, Mohamad Sabu not to join the new line-up as a sign of protest.

PKR President, Datuk Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in response to comment made by Abdul Hadi on the possible unity government with Umno during the party’s muktamar recently is looking for a clarification on the issue and this is echoed by DAP secretary general and Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng who claimed the party was kept in the dark on the matter.

With the PR three parties coalition expected to call a meeting soon, political observers will definitely keep a watchful eye on the outcome of the meeting where PAS would have to explain its intention to its two partners.

To many in the Opposition front, the unity talk may not augur well for the coalition which is hoping to wrest the federal government from the BN in the next four years after a strong showing in March 8 general election last year where it denied BN of its two third majority.

The subsequent by-elections where the PR won five out of six has renewed its hope and confidence of toppling the BN government which has ruled the country since independence.

But the secret talk has some sort damaged the trust among the three parties within the coalition which may dampen the cooperation and spirit in the PR.

For the voters who have put their trust in the PR, their hope of seeing a culmination of two party systems to provide check and balance to the BN or even as an alternative government to BN may just vanish into vapour should the secret talk on the unity government evolve into a reality between the two Malay dominant parties.

The spirit among the voters has been high since the political tsunami last year that Malaysians are ready for a new dawn of politics which cut across the racial line but this clandestine move by the two parties may curtail the effort of PR to present a change to the people.

During the PAS muktamar, there were also calls among the delegates that its president, Abdul Hadi Awang be made the Prime Minister should the Opposition grab the power in the next general election.

And all this while, the focus has been on the charismatic Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to assume the premiership should the Opposition come into power since he was the inspiring force which put together the three parties- PKR, DAP and PAS into a coalition.

The call for Abdul Hadi Awang as an alternative premier to Anwar will definitely put much distrust and power jostling between the PKR and PAS with the DAP, being a Chinese dominant party knowing full well that the time has yet to come for a Chinese to be a Prime Minister in the country of Malay dominance.

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when asked on the formation of unity government said Opposition was needed as a reflection of the government and it seems from the statement that the former premier is sceptical of the idea.

But his son, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir sang a different tune when he said Umno-PAS talk was crucial for the nation’s economy.

But one thing for sure is that the Opposition front, in its coming meeting must sort out the matter among themselves and be truthful to each other if they were to stick on together.

Should the meeting end up without any concrete solution and the distrust among the coalition partners still exists, then the only sure thing is that a new beginning of Malaysian politics may come to a halt.

Whether PAS will fall to the enticement remains to be seen and it takes great understanding and trust among the PR leaders to keep the coalition intact to face the BN in the coming general election.