Create a new Pakatan Rakyat by giving up PAS

China Press, 7 June 2015

Writer: Chen Yuan Feng

As wished by Hadi, conservatives scored a landslide victory in PAS election. Thanks to DAP, especially Lim Guan Eng who lambasted Hadi, stirring up the sense of unity among PAS members. They would rather lose Putrajaya but not the dignity of the party.

The liberals in PAS suffered a humiliating defeat. Liberal leaders are defeated with vast majority votes. For a long period of time in the future or at least till the next general elections, PAS would be ruled by the conservatives and continue to strengthen its Islamic path.

A jubilant Hadi, in his presidential speech, stressed that PAS would continue to remain in Pakatan Rakyat. However, if PAS does not want to give up hudud law, it cannot work with DAP. What would be the purpose of remaining in Pakatan Rakyat? PAS and PKR are also not in good terms in the Selangor Menteri Besar fiasco. It has been quarrelling with both neighbours, why does PAS still want to remain in Pakatan Rakyat?

Even if Pakatan Rakyat is unable to win Putrajaya, it will still have other benefits for PAS to remain in Pakatan Rakyat. In states like Selangor and Penang, it still will be Pakatan Rakyat government. PAS is keen to take Selangor and it will never give up.

Chart a grand plot and keep the eyes on the state

PAS continues to remain in Pakatan Rakyat. This would be a strategy of possible to attack and defend. It can continue to exert pressure on PKR and DAP. On the other hand, it can also maintain cooperation space with Umno in future. Enjoying the best of both, such a plot of taking up every single drop of water is fantastic.

While we as outsiders are of the view that the conservatives in PAS are ruining their own future, PAS is in fact marching towards the other curve. They will never give up their own struggle but would craftily use the advantage in religion and racial politics to create a development room which is different from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat for itself.

Undoubtedly, a series of comedian acts by PAS in Pakatan Rakyat have successfully bargained greater speaking rights for PAS. Hadi also proves to his members that he does not listen to anyone. PAS is independent and can dominate Pakatan Rakyat. It can also hold Pakatan Rakyat at ransom or charm Umno. The influence of PAS, in fact, cannot be compared.

The scenario in PAS reflects the political dilemma of Malaysia from the other angle. Barisan Nasional, which has ruled for more than half a century, is plague with malpractices. The people, who have created the political tsunami in March 08 and May 05, are anticipating the Pakatan Rakyat would be able to replace Barisan Nasional in the next general elections. However, this has been ruined by PAS.

Pakatan Rakyat supporters see no direction currently. Anwar is in jail, Hadi and Lim Kit Siang can no longer share a similar stage. How to elect in the next general elections?

Looking at the future

DAP and PKR should be expanding their grassroots, identifying all potential candidates immediately to plan for next general elections, discarding PAS and have a one-on-one battle with Barisan Nasional, create a new Pakatan Rakyat. It should plan a sustainable strategy for long term development, and a plot with macro view to start all over again. Once the direction is correct, even if the journey is further, one can still reach its destination. If the new coalition is not ready for the next general election, then look beyond the next generation. By not giving up, this shows the no betrayal of voters’ mandate!

Politicians need to have the vision of looking beyond current scenario and should not settle with current short term benefit. Sun Tzu’s Art of War said: “One who does not know the overall situation can hardly manage one aspect. One who does not have a long term plan would not be able to seize the opportunity that appears.” If DAP and PKR are the ones who know the overall situation, they would have to endure the pain to severe ties with PAS, improve on their own weaknesses to be a political party for all. They would create a political alliance which is different from Barisan Nasional, change the impact of racism on Malaysian politics thoroughly, chart a new scenario for the country.

Kit Siang, who is currently feeling at a loss for the future of Pakatan Rakyat, was bold enough to contest in Gelang Patah on May 05, boosting the morale of entire team. Hopefully he is thinking hard to chart a new plot for the country, and to create a new Pakatan Rakyat!

Original Source: 陳圓鳳 : 放棄伊黨再造新民聯