The true colour of PAS is revealed, the race in Pakatan Rakyat starts

Writer: Huang Jin Cheng (translated name)
Oriental Daily, 8 June 2015

In late May, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang predicted that Pakatan Rakyat could be over in two weeks. All cards would be unveiled in the PAS election. Good days of Pakatan Rakyat seem to have come to an end. But on 6 June, nothing happened. When Hadi Awang, Lim Kit Siang and their fans woke up, Pakatan Rakyat remains while PAS still exists. If PAS were to leave Pakatan Rakyat, the government still does not change hand.

After two elections – 308 and 505, Perak state government changed hand and various kinds of “political education”, Malaysians may have not reached the stage of unfazed by both insult and pamper. They understand that politics is not about meal treats or prayers to god. Pakatan Rakyat, a short-lived political alliance ultimately would still need to have the gut to “conquer Putrajaya”. In short term, reigning in north or south is the foundation to a long battle. If one does not even have a territory, it would be hard to gather soldiers for the long term battle.

PAS says in severing ties with DAP, several government positions in Penang are up for grabs. Those who are holding on to the positions are thick skin enough to claim pending order from party headquarters. Those who are gutsy announce resignation, just like the defeated deputy president who is now a normal party member, Mohamad Sabu. Having power in hand and being government officials are still the trump cards. Without political resources, praying to Buddha, God or Christ would still be unable to rescue anyone.

There are someone who attempt to explain and touch up on behalf of PAS in terms of its level of thinking by saying the party does not look at current benefit but harping hope on religious value in future. After reading it I feel like sleeping as they have yet to sort out the issue. For those who are in politics, the ultimate goal would be ruling the country so that state machinery, allocation of resources, implementation of ideology can be legally executed. Serving rakyat, fight for an ethnic group or religion, Malaysian’s Malaysia, pursuit of justice and an ideal world are nothing but slogans to fish for votes. Until power is in hand, the bottom line would not be shown. Political parties like Christian Democracy in Italy, Christian Democratic Union of Germany to Islamic parties in Indonesia and Iran are religious based but operation and gain are of secularism. The purpose of setting up a political party is to command power and implement ideologies. Preaching is definitely not the core business and not suitable to grab market share with other religious bodies. It is the same in multi-ethnicities.

The founding history of PAS is the same. Religion is just being used as a strategy. Seizing political power would be the goal. Elevating Hadi up due to his religious background but forget about the fact that he is a politician. If Hadi is not pursuing power but focusing on eternity in future, he can be in religious institution and NGO but not political party. Many scholars who are concerned about politics but do not join politics. They author books, appear on TV or even start a platform to teach in order to propagate the ideologies, using personal charm to influence society and to change the country. If one is too bored, no harm organising friends to chat. Hadi and other PAS leaders are eyeing to rule. (he was a one term menteri besar) and definitely not involving in NGO. One would be stupid and naïve of discarding political yardstick to gauge PAS and matters related to his party. The PAS election has revealed its bottom line. Hadi also said it is the party’s right to discuss with Umno. If Pakatan Rakyat does not review its collaboration ties, this is akin to Pakatan Rakyat surrender its gun to Umno automatically. Pakatan Rakyat supporters should ask Pakatan Rakyat leaders for an explanation. Of the three political parties, DAP has sensed that Hadi would win in party election.The mental preparation on losing Pakatan Rakyat is well done. PKR tries to be the mediator but has forgotten about the insult that party president Wan Azizah suffered during the Selangor Menteri Besar fiasco. All could see how PKR had to endure and depend on PAS during the fiasco. At this juncture, Pakatan Rakyat will cease to exist. There should be an answer whether a restructure would be carried out or each one moving on separate ways.

PAS is a Malay-based political party. After two general elections, it is following Hadi to move towards Umno-PAS collaboration. This means it shuns non-Muslims. How much support it will gain from Malays? If none, how would it maintain its position in 14th general elections?

As PAS has revealed its bottom line and Pakatan Rakyat is now out in open. Prior to 14th General Elections, all would continue to consolidate. Without a Pakatan Rakyat, there will be a new political alliance. Hadi is definitely not a power player who has the last laugh.

Original Source: 伊党露底　民联开局