Five possible scenarios for PAS and Pakatan

 Kim Quek: Good analysis from political analyst Wong Chin Huat on the PAS-Pakatan Rakyat situation.

The best scenario is status quo pre-2013 election when all the three parties were united on the common platform and manifesto, where PAS’ hudud aspiration was respected but not implemented.

That scenario is still achievable if PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s dictatorial hold on the party is ceased. The present course of PAS under Hadi will lead to its obliteration from Malaysian politics come next national election.

This is the inescapable conclusion from all rational analyses. So, Hadi should relinquish his present power if he still cherishes a bright political future for his party and, for that matter, for the nation as well.

Alternatively, he should be replaced by a progressive leader with his faction firmly in control come next party election.

MacMac: PAS should realise it cannot have its cake and eat it as well. PAS has to project itself as a religious political party to maintain its survival with the rural folks.

It is more than halfway in crossing the bridge with its hudud implementation in Kelantan and it would be a disaster if it backtracks now.

At the end of the day, it is all about political survival and power.

Onyourtoes: Wong, your fifth scenario – the common ground – may I know what common ground there is left? Common ground, my posterior. I think Pakatan should move on. Either PAS accepts a fully secular and democratic Malaysia, or they can go to Timbuktu.

There is no more time and energy to waste with a group of obstinately blind nincompoops. Don’t be too sure Pakatan without PAS will be considerably weakened. No more indulging in agreeing to disagree or any half measures with PAS, this is too dangerous to flirt with.

Negarawan: The crux of the matter is that PAS cannot be trusted by non-Muslims because it has revealed its real intention to Talibanise the country, disregarding and disrespecting the interests and rights of non-Muslims.

PAS leaders have also shown open support for the Islamic State (IS), which indicates that terrorism is acceptable by PAS. This is not the Malaysia that all right-thinking rakyat want.

If Pakatan were to even survive, there is no other option but for PAS to leave. Non-Muslims will not support Pakatan as it stands now.

Hbasill: I am not sure what the leaders in DAP and PKR think about the policies of PAS and if they are convinced that remaining with PAS is detrimental to their chances at the next elections. For sure, all the non-Malays are very likely not vote for Pakatan if PAS remains in the coalition.

So the message is clear and PAS is not considered a trustworthy party as far as the Sabahans and Sarawakians are concerned.

So if Pakatan’s target is to take Putrajaya then PAS has to leave the coalition. What is sadder is the lack of confidence of PKR in garnering Malay votes on their own. They don’t seem to have the candidates who can labour for Malay votes and even challenge PAS for these votes.

DAP is assured to stay the course and probably garner more seats come GE14 but the same isn’t true for PKR and PAS. It doesn’t take a genius to know that PAS is a liability now for Pakatan.

Anyway I request DAP to dialogue PAS on the hudud issue, because it allows DAP to express their concerns, whatever it may be.

Banzai: The moderates in PAS should voice up and stand their ground. Break away from PAS and form a rival party to champion the plight of the Muslims on a moderate platform.

Let’s see how much support the group of 25 eminent Malays is getting. I believe there are a lot of moderate Muslims out there.

U-Say I-Say: PAS’ split from Pakatan would be best outcome for Pakatan. Status quo is the worst scenario because you cannot trust Hadi and the ulamas who blow with the wind to suit their selfish objectives.

Pakatan with PKR, DAP and the less conservative and professional PAS breakaway group would still stand a good chance of unseating Umno given the frustration of Malays in general and the breaking of the silence of ‘the silent majority’, particularly of the Malay community.

The political landscape in Malaysia is fast changing, including those of Sabah and Sarawak.

Disgusted: PAS with its one-sided race and religious outlook seems to be causing a lot of problems within Pakatan, and as such is not congruent with the policies of Pakatan, which is trying to unite Malaysian without any dominance by a particular race but at the same time uplifting the downtrodden irrespective of race or religion.

For every step Pakatan takes forward, PAS sets you back two steps. If this goes on it only gives Umno-BN ammunition to shoot at Pakatan’s goal of uniting all Malaysians, especially when they use their subservient partners MCA, Gerakan and MIC to stir up trouble with regards to PAS’ religious bigotry.

Firstly, Hadi seems to be acting like a spoilt child in not attending Pakatan central committee meetings and sending representatives, which he can override should any consensus be reached at such meetings.

And PAS seems bent on pushing through hudud although it is unpopular amongst Malays as well as non-Malays.

SMC77: No matter what, PAS would not be able to achieve what they want to achieve if they continue to emphasise on hudud. If their only aim is to be in the government, they can do so now by joining Umno.

If they want to care for the future of Malaysia and fight against corruption and racism, then they should stop distracting themselves from talking about hudud. We are living in the Internet age and it is unlikely the rakyat would be fooled by PAS again.

Hope 4 A Better Msia: Umno will work doubly hard to have PAS stay within Pakatan. PAS will be a Trojan horse to inflict maximum damage to Pakatan at the most critical moments. Pakatan must do its utmost to close all doors for Trojan horses from PAS.

Umno will use the hudud bait to lure PAS, as it is irresistible to both PAS’ genuinely pious members as well as to the faction that has sold itself to Umno. Hudud is the kryptonite for Pakatan.

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