UMNO-Pas Peace Pipes: Unity and cracks?

At first, it was denied by certain quarters in Pas. It was later established that certain leaders in Pas and UMNO have had several talks in the name of ‘Islam and Malay unity’.

Then we were told that there was indeed talk of forming a coalition Selangor state government between UMNO and Pas soon after the political tsunami.

And in the last two days, it appears that UMNO has upped the ante by pushing for a coalition government in Perak with Pas, as one step further to realizing what was suggested by Pas spiritual leader Nik Aziz, i.e. the formation of a new political party incorporating members from both the Malay-based UMNO and Pas.

This ‘political flirtation’ between UMNO and Pas obviously has taken many Malaysians by surprise, especially those who voted for what they believed would contribute to a meaningful political change towards multiethnic politics and a two-party system in the country at the recent general election.

 

And there are those Malaysians who are confused as well by these recent developments as they must have thought, and hoped, that the parties that comprise the Pakatan Rakyat are by now slowly but surely learning to work together towards the larger objective of intellectual, material and spiritual progress in the country for all Malaysians irrespective of their ethnic background. And these people want clarification on actions and public expressions of the parties involved.

 

To be sure, these developments not only attract the attention of concerned Malaysians. Political changes of this nature also serve as fodder for the mainstream media for a variety of reasons. For one, there are certain sections of the mainstream media that see their role and responsibility in informing the general public of these important political developments. There are, of course, those media that have been eagerly waiting to see a chasm in the seemingly fragile unity of the Pakatan Rakyat.

 

Predictably yesterday’s NST, Utusan Malaysia (UM) and Berita Harian carried similar story of Perak UMNO offering Pas to form a coalition government in Perak, with Pas keeping its Menteri Besar position.

 

The other day’s Utusan Malaysia (UM) ran a screaming headline on its front page: ‘DAP selar Pas – Kerana berunding dengan UMNO atas nama perpaduan Melayu’ (DAP slams Pas – For meeting with UMNO in the name of Malay unity) The fact that UM found merit in placing on its front page a public statement on this issue from a DAP leader says a lot. Doesn’t it project a picture of political parties clawing each other?

 

The New Sunday Times the other day carried a Bernama report, headlined ‘DAP wants Pakatan Rakyat to review PAS membership’. Again, this piece of news depicts a coalition that is facing serious internal problems.

 

The Star carried a story the other day, headlined: ‘Perak MB Nizar lauds idea’. The ‘idea’ here refers to a suggestion made a few days ago by PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that Umno and PAS be dissolved and that a new party be formed to unite all Malays and Muslims. 

 

As if not to be outdone, Berita Harian carried a story, headlined: ‘Umno Perak tawar bergabung dengan Pas’ (Perak Umno invites Pas to join forces). There’s an excitement in Perak too.

 

And this idea of coming together between both UMNO and Pas is also reported by Bernama (headlined ‘Dissolution Idea Will Be Brought Up PAS’ Muktamar’), which stated that Pas spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat will bring up his suggestion of forming a new party based on Islam at the general assembly next month.

 

Then came a news item from Bernama about two Pas Youth branches filing a police report, complaining that UMNO Perak’s Tajol Rosli’s suggestion was tantamount to political bribery.

 

These turn of events, and the reportage of all this, leave a number of nagging questions.

 

For example, is the Pakatan Rakyat really in disarray as it is made out to be by the mainstream media?

 

If, as it has been argued by certain quarters, Malay-Muslim unity can also contribute to the overall harmonious relations between various ethnic groups in the country, would — to follow this argument to its logical conclusion – ‘a friendly chat’ for the sake of, say, ‘Chinese unity’ initiated by a Chinese-based party like DAP with the MCA and Gerakan help foster national integration?

 

And can this exercise be replicated by Indian-based political parties for the sake of ‘Indian unity’ and the subsequent harmony of the entire nation?

 

Some journalists may want to ask these and other related questions.