-Dr. S. Ramakrishnan, Decebember 31, 2015.

The UMNO-PAS merger or cooperation is a matter of concern to many, including the Malay community, due to its far reaching consequences. While UMNO is all eager to work with PAS, the latter seem to be split in its thinking. PAS as a responsible party should make a clear stand on where it stands. It’s hanging on to Pakatan Rakyat and also wants to work with UMNO. What sort of cooperation it wants is not certain? PAS has disappointed many by wanting to cooperate with UMNO even though the latter has introduced the much dreaded GST and even denied oil royalty to Kelantan?

In an interview in May 2013 PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat said PAS unity with UMNO is over his dead body. “I would not allow it, for as long as I am still alive, I would not permit any effort for cooperation between PAS and UMNO,” he was quoted as saying. Ever since UMNO/BN lost its traditional 2/3 majority in 2008 UMNO has been making covert and overt attempts to lure PAS into its fold. Now that Datuk Nik Aziz is no more around, the lure of UMNO’s offer seem too tempting for PAS leadership to resist.

In 1974, the then Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak also courted PAS and persuaded them to join BN. PAS had to leave BN in bitterness four years later and many PAS leaders had cited that “bitter experience” for refusing to collaborate with UMNO. Times have changed. After the 1MDB RM42 billion unexplainable debt and RM2.6 billion donation debacle, Najib Razak is increasingly losing legitimacy and relevance for the Malay community. With the huge prime minister cum finance ministerial budget allocations and authority, he has coerced UMNO into his fold but he failed to sway the Malay community.

PAS on the other hand, is left out of Pakatan Harapan and disowned by its popular moderate leaders. It is being once again reduced as a regional party of the Malay heartland.  To gain acceptance and survive the current dissent PAS is willing to forgive and forget all Umno’s past sins and let bygones be bygones. This will shift the role of PAS as a regional party. Whether PAS will merge with UMNO or become a BN component party is yet to be seen.

They say in politics there are no permanent allies and no permanent enemies but only permanent interest. UMNO and PAS want to be in power with UMNO playing the race card and PAS using the religious card. PAS is willing to sweep the RM42 billion debacle of 1MDB and RM2.6 billion donation scandal of UMNO under the carpet in the name of promoting Islamic unity.

UMNO and PAS have been political opponents since independence except for the brief 4 year courtship in the 1970s. The majority of PAS grassroots are confused and will never accept a merger or cooperation in whatever form with UMNO. They worked closely with DAP and PKR to oppose UMNO/BN. There could be a second wave of dissenters leaving PAS for Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) in the near future.

Malays and other Malaysians are struggling with high cost of living, weak ringgit and economic slowdown. They are blaming Najib and UMNO for the GST implementation. PAS’ attempt to rescue Najib and UMNO at this juncture shows its unprincipled support for corruption and greed for power. It’s akin to collaborating with criminals. How a religious party wanting to implement Hudud Law can justify this unholy alliance with corrupt UMNO is puzzling.

PAS had agreed on a common policy platform with Pakatan Rakyat leaders since 2008. But in 2015 PAS dishonoured the common policy platform agreement and wanted hudud laws to be implemented. Can PAS be trusted in future?

In joining with UMNO, PAS has dishonoured its trusted grass root supporters who have made sacrifices for the party all these years. There are educated and good leaders who can notice and detect the underlying political motives of PAS. The political Islamist party, without principles cannot stand the test of trying times.  PAS ulamas have missed a great opportunity to lead this country. UMNO has virtually made PAS a party of the past.

The Malay political vacuum can be filled by Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) and to certain extend PKR. Parti Amanah Negara needs leaders of mass appeal to lead the Malay society from their current political conundrum. This is an opportunity for Malay leaders of mass appeal to come forward and lead.

With UMNO and its president being spurned by many, a non-UMNO Malay leader can come forward to stamp his mark. Parti Amanah leaders have to raise their national appeal in the Malay heartland and criss-cross the country. A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. So, the current political turbulence may be the right setting for a real Malay leader to emerge. Will the real Malay leader step forward?