Tomorrow, Pakatan Rakyat parties must resolve the first crisis of confidence faced by PR in 14 months after the political tsunami of the March 8 general elections by sending out a clear and unmistakable message to Malaysians that Paktan Rakyat rejects the old Malaysian politics based on “divide-and-rule” and the fear factor by standing up solidly for “new politics” in representing the interests of all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or territory.
Recently, UMNO strategists have been very successful in planting doubts among Malaysians who had created the political tsunami which saw Pakatan Rakyat winning five state governments and ended the Barisan Nasional two-thirds parliamentary majority and terminated Umno political hegemony in Malaysian politics whether they had made the right choice.
Pakatan Rakyat leaders’ foremost task and greatest challenge at the PR leadership council meeting tomorrow is to assure these architects of the 2008 political tsunami that they had not made the wrong choice, that PR is prepared to move forward to give meaning to the “new politics” of the future and to put the old politics of the past 52 years solidly behind us.
It is indeed shocking that in less than 100 days, the new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s slogan of “1Malaysia” is openly trampled upon by none other than the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who unabashedly announced two days ago that Umno will not impose any conditions for Umno-Pas unity government talks and is even prepared to “accept whatever terms set by PAS”, hoping to railroad such a meeting “in the next few days, anytime, no problem”.
What has happened to all the talk about Bangsa Malaysia and a united Malaysian nation, especially during the 50th Merdeka Anniversary two years ago?
What would be the reaction of Umno leaders if political parties in the country, embracing both those in government and opposition, call for national conferences and talks to promote “Chinese unity”, “Indian unity”, “Kadazan unity” or “Iban unity”?
The MCA’s response to Umno’s promotion of “Umno-Pas unity government talks” is that it could also hold talks with DAP on Chinese unity. DAP is not interested in holding talks with MCA on Chinese unity, as the DAP is a multi-racial Malaysian party though we can have talks with MCA on corruption, injustices in the “annual begging session” for Malaysian top-scorers to get Public Services Department (PSD) scholarships, the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, lack of judicial independence or even on Umno hegemony.
But would Umno allow this? I can still remember that in 1987, when MCA and Gerakan leaders met DAP leaders and Chinese educationists on the controversy over the sending of headmasters and senior assistants not conversant with Mandarin to Chinese primary schools, Umno reacted in rage and MCA and Gerakan leaders were severely punished! It even became justification for the notorious Operation Lalang mass Internal Security Act arrests, with over 100 people detained.
Malaysians are entitled to ask how Najib’s 1Malaysia call could be reconciled with “Malay unity” and Umno-Pas unity government talks.
After 52 years of nationhood, isn’t it time that everyone talk about Malaysian unity instead of Malay unity, Chinese unity, Indian unity, Kadazan unity or Iban unity?
When DAP was formed 43 years ago, we made it very clear right from the beginning our commitment to a Malaysian Malaysia, where all political parties should work towards Malaysian unity rather than Malay unity, Chinese unity, Indian unity, Kadazan unity or Iban unity.
When will Najib, Muhyiddin, UMNO and other Barisan Nasional leaders follow in the footsteps of DAP 43 years ago?
In the ongoing psy-war, Umno leaders accuse Pas leaders of being afraid of DAP and PKR leaders while MCA and Gerakan leaders accuse DAP of kow-towing to Pas leaders. This shows the utter hypocrisy and dishonesty of the political wiles of the leaders from Umno, MCA, Gerakan and MIC.
I call on Najib to come out strong and clear that his 1Malaysia stands for Malaysians unite and not Malays unite, Chinese unite, Indians, unite, Kadazans unite or Ibans unite. If Najib is not prepared to come out with such an equivocal stand, then his 1Malaysia concept is utterly meaningless.
LKS Says: DAP is not interested in holding talks with MCA on Chinese unity
I’m impressed. Some of your supporters might not be, comments inviting MCA members to join DAP are not rare on this blog.
I hope MCA will uphold the spirit of the saying pwcheng quoted on a recent comment:
rather than Chew Mei13 Fun’s “who will feed me?”. Your clarification in this article should help them decide.
I’m also surprised. The DAP logo explanation is ‘4Malaysias’, isn’t it? “3 major races and others”? I’m surprised nobody has picked that up with all the (well deserved) derision you’ve been heaping on ‘1Malaysia’.
Is SUPP in Sarawak also ready to talk to DAP?
DAP should not bother talking to MCA. It’s sheer waste of time to talk to a party with only 15% Chinese support. I would even object if MCA wants to join Pakatan. We dont need race based parties.
In short there should be NO talk with any BN component parties.
Component parties of BN will never dare to propose to talk to DAP, without Umno taking the lead. That is the structure of BN.
And DAP will never propose to talk to them either. The reason is simple. By doing so, it is digging its own grave as the BN stands for corruption, discrimination and incapability.
On the other hand, it seems Pas current leadership is playing into Umno’s ploy to its detriment. If not for the enlightened Nik Aziz and the Erdogans, its leg is starting to go into the trap laid by the Umnoputras and the Utusans.
Hence, we shall see whether Haji Hadi is willing to see his party going up or down in tomorrow meeting.
In the event that he insists on going with Umno, PR leadership shall take an unequivocal action to severe its relationship with Pas, before the public loses confidence in the fledgling coalition which has the potential to be the next government come 2013 !
Dear DAP and PKR leaders, kindly make a resolute decision on this matter. Time is of essence.
PR will be strenghtened in the process as those Ergodens will come to join PR either through PKR or a new Pas party. The end result is a clear PR-BN alternative with social justice activists on one side and the racialists on the other. People will make their choice easier.
Sdr Lim,
By all means criticise UMNO, but I think you have missed totally PAS involvement in this. May be for the sake of PR unity, you are not prepared to reprimand PAS publicly. But if what you hope for – the “new politics” and what not – is to be believed, it is time for PR to declare unequivocally a secular, multiracial and multi-religious Malaysia. Please, no more “buts” and “ifs”. Religions and governments based on religions are not a panacea for all ills. The world has more than 2000 years of records to prove it.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who unabashedly announced two days ago that Umno will not impose any conditions for Umno-Pas unity government talks and is even prepared to “accept whatever terms set by PAS”, hoping to railroad such a meeting “in the next few days, anytime, no problem”.
No wonder Nasarudin of Pas is so interested. You can’t blame him as the conditions given by Mohyoudin are too good to miss !
Actually, the DPM is doing PR or Pas a favour as this will weed out those who favour Umno’s way of governance from Pas fold such as Hasan Ali of Selangor beside Hadi, Nasa and Mustapha Ali.
Who else ? Pls let the people know so that we know what to do with our votes.
The present chaos in Iran offers the Perak BN coup plotters a very clear example of the disastrous consequences of cheating the people of their vote. Iran may well go the way of Kenya in 2007, where thousands were killed when the people found out they had been cheated of their vote.
Why don”t every political parties tell Malaysian that ‘YOU VOTE US A TICKET TO HEAVEN’ then everyone in election days get a ticket to heaven? turn the election into a fun fair.
Every Malaysian can have a ticket(vote) to heaven.
So good, every people from every nations want to immigrant to Malaysia loh, so can get a ticket to heaven loh.
MALAYSIA really BOLEH!
“DAP should not bother talking to MCA. It’s sheer waste of time to talk to a party with only 15% Chinese support.” (DAP man)
This commentator is wrong! Why doesn’t he just take an optimistic view that MCA leaders are going to dissolve the party of MCA and bring the whole team of ex MCA members nation-wide to join DAP? Even with the 15% Chinese support which MCA has, it is still not too bad a bargain for Pakatan Rakyat or DAP to bag home if MCA leaders really dissolve their party and join DAP!
“Why doesn’t he just take an optimistic view that MCA leaders are going to dissolve the party of MCA and bring the whole team of ex MCA members nation-wide to join DAP?”
sure. leaders in dap would then give them back their old jobs. even monsterball’s 40-year old son knows better than that. not sure if a nincompoop can
LKS,
While UMNO definitely has taken advantage of the situation, you have simply decided to forget the fact that PAS was the one who openly initiated this proposal for `unity talks’. While you are quick to blame MCA, MIC etc if they are late in reprimanding UMNO in the past, it also seems that DAP and PKR are similarly slow in reprimanding PAS on this matter (all I see are just mild comments etc. rather then a firm rejection)!!
You should know well that when people of different and non synergistic idealogies sit together (e.g. PR), the show of unity and common front is only superficial and does not run deep. The past few days have shown PR for what it truly is – an informal coalition of convenience without a clear common vision for Malaysia. If you want PR to be taken seriously, it is time a formal coalition is formed and registered (like BN), all contests should be under PR and not the respective parties, PR should have a clear shadow cabinet, no more hiding behind `common objectives’ when key differences between PR parties crop up etc. While BN is not an outstanding example of a good coalition, at least the objectives of its respective parties are more or less synergistic and aligned.
UMNO is not at fault. They are just politicians who are taking this golden opportunity to disunite Pakatan Rakyat. PAS or rather Hadi Bawang & Nasarudedin are the ones to be blamed. Their mentality – is it is better to be united with corrupts enemies who are of the same race and religion than to have a righteous infidel as a ruler.
If Nizar wasn’t the MB of Perak or Koh Tsu Khoon (sleep) wasn’t the MB of Penang, do you think PAS would agree to having non-Muslim MB at these 2 states? I am sure they would have betrayed Anwar Ibrahim & DAP by uniting with UMNO long time ago. There will come a time where UMNO will abandon their BN partners to unite with PAS to set up Islamic state. I hope it won’t happen so soon. So mark my words.
PAS is the reason why I don’t fully support Pakatan Rakyat.
Anyway, glad to see that PAS has someone like Tok Guru Nik Aziz.
Dear PR (I am a PR supporter and all my family and friends are)
Read this
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2009/06/unity-talk-is-umno-trick.html
and be prepared for PAS to be sodomised by UMNO. We have to have a fall back plan for Manek Urai.
PAS, if you dont come out and reject with 100% of your supporter, 308 is the only day my friends and family will ever vote for you.
SHiok Guy
I hope this Post means YB or DAP, understand the Important of ONE PK!! And, this is a EMERGENCY motion (even more than PKFZ) to put PK in the right Direction for ONE Malaysia!!
Ask UMNO/BN to prove they are a Party for the People, for any other Party to join if they come to ask for “unity”!!
— AT LEAST A PARTY WHO KNOWS WHAT AND HOW TO RESPECT FAIRNESS & THE RIGHTS OF THE OTHERS!!As such, ALLOW all SPARES & RIGHTS of all other Parties be RESPECTED. UNDISTURBED and PROTECTED for them to EXERCISE THEIR FUNCTIONS & DUTIES in the Society!!
At the same time,. demand UMNO/BN to show the type of Accountability, Transparency, Efficiency and Law-Binding that PK are looking at.
UNITY are to be for a Genuine Vision of ONE Malaysia! Not for Sharing of Political Power but sharing of Adminstrative Responsibility in both the Federal and State level according to Human Rights!!
—————————————————————-
PLEASE UNDERSTAND HUMAN RIGHTS specifies not only the Rights of the People but also that of a Democratic Government!!
—————————————————————-