Sunday, July 27, 2008

The UMNO-PAS muzakarah : Reality or Fantasy






The possibility of Umno-Pas muzakarah seems to be unavoidable. Both parties agreed to face each other for the sake of nation building especially matters related to Malay and Islam. It was a bright move made by both Malay dominant parties to dispatch any ideology or sentiment in order to redevelop a better and prosperous Malaysia. I personally welcome the dialogue without any prejudice. Why not? We shouldn’t look this yet to be materialized muzakarah from such a narrow perspective and need to remain positive.


As for PAS,despite being daringly criticized by the die hard supporters, the openness of their top post leaders to have a round table meeting with Pak Lah and Co. is simply dignified. The step taken proves seems to be a killer blow for the critics suggesting that PAS are orthodox, intolerable and militant. It also proves that the leaders of the Islamic party are optimistic against their arch-rival despite being kicked out of the Barisan Nasional in 1978 after experiencing 8 year of madness with the coalition. The ardent PAS follower won’t simply forget this one. The bitters are still there.

As I said earlier, we shouldn’t view the muzakarah form a narrow perspective. Yes, there has been a lot of uneasiness among the grassroots and the Pakatan Rakyat ally, but they need to be positive. PAS only willing to drag itself to hold talks with UMNO for the sake of the nation especially matters related to Malays right and Islam. Tuan Guru Hj Abd Hadi Awang never promises there will be any political engagement with Umno. Pas already engage with Pakatan Rakyat and as it had been proven that Pas did not need Umno to survive in mainstream politics.

Why need UMNO when you are in the driving seat to form a new government coming next general election? There are lots and lots of problems regarding Malays and Islam need to be addressed. Any discussion related to political motivated cooperation between the two is just a waste of time. The unity talks between PAS and UMNO should focus more on:

1) Apostasy
2) Bumiputera Share Equity in NEP (New Economic Policy)
3) Social Contract
4) Social Problems among Malays

These are the main threats need to be taken care of first rather than pointing out fingers accusing each other for the failure of the Malays. Recent claims which is made by the Mufti of Perak Datuk Harussani Zakaria, saying that there has been thousand of Malay Muslims converting to the other religions and something is needed to be done here. We also should be concerned regarding our right which is being questioned lately by other races and the bumiputera share equity in NEP which is still hit the lower note despite Malaysia being governed by the self-confess Malay party.

Just let it happen. Why need to distract or halt the Malay agenda. For sure, Malay Muslims are the main beneficiary resulting from the muzakarah. However honesty is the best policy. Both parties need to be honest for the sake of the Malays far from any hidden agenda to strengthen their political influences.

No comments: