The Poison of “Unity” Government

M. Bakri Musa http://www.bakrimusa.com/ 21 June 2009

The two Malay political parties – UMNO and PAS – are battling each other to convince us that each is better than the other in advancing the “Malay agenda.” The two are like ageing fighters stuck with their same old tired moves. They are oblivious of the fact that we are fed up with their act; their lack of vigor and imaginative new strategies.

In a clumsy if not desperate attempt for new moves they concocted a ‘vision’ for a ‘unity’ government based on the two parties! Left unstated is the question: Unity for what and against whom?

I wish that they would expend their efforts on making our people competitive, and thus lifting us out of poverty. That is the most important Malay agenda today. Better yet, I would prefer that they just exit the ring and let others run the show for a change.

I fail to see how this ‘unity’ government would make Malays more competitive. The track record for UMNO is for all to see. Corruption is now rampant, as well as the erosion of the integrity of our institutions and the deepening polarization of Malaysians. The Melayu Baru (New Malay) of UMNO has now morphed into Melayu Barua (Malay scoundrels).

As for PAS, after decades of ruling Kelantan, the young still has to leave the state to seek a better life. The state is regularly plagued with such diseases as cholera. Tok Guru Nik Aziz may be pious and religious, with honesty and humility thrown in massive doses, but he is completely inept in running a modern state. Apparently his humility does not extend to his intellect for he has not seen fit to seek competent help in such ‘secular’ matters.

New Political Reality

UMNO and PAS are so used to fighting each other that they have forgotten what it is they are fighting for. While they are busy fighting each other, the world has passed them by. Today with the increasing plurality of the Malaysian electorate, securing the majority Malay votes would not necessary translate into political power, at least at the national level.

In a rare display of political wisdom, PAS recognized the need to reach beyond by, for example, fielding non-Malay candidates in the last election and establishing a new wing within the party for non-Muslims. However, whatever inroads the party may have made with non-Malays have since evaporated with its ill-conceived pursuit of a “unity government” with UMNO.

UMNO, a slow learner, has yet to recognize this new political reality. Thus it treats its non-Malay coalition partners in Barisan with undisguised contempt. UMNO leaders are quick to brandish their kerises, preferably dripped with ketchup for dramatic effect, at the slightest provocation.

Chauvinistic appeals of Ketuanan Melayu to win Malay votes might still work, but only regionally in Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Trengganu. Unfortunately those are not exactly the economic or power centers of the nation. In terms of population, landmass, and most importantly economic activities, the contributions of those states to the national total are at best miniscule.

The elements overrepresented in those states are poverty and the underdevelopment of the people, and the overwhelming majority of whom are, sadly, Malays. Oh, yes, combined those four states have nearly half (four out of nine) of the sultans. For some, that is a source of endless pride.

As for the much-vaunted Malay agenda or even Ketuanan Melayu, I am at a loss as to what exactly these Malay politicians are fighting for. If it is for retaining the Malay language, sultans and other key elements of Malay culture, including and especially Islam, those are already enshrined in our constitution. Even if non-Malays were to oppose that, there is not much that they could do about it. By themselves they could never secure the necessary two-third majority needed to amend the constitution.

The only way for non-Malays, or anyone else for that matter, to do away with those constitutional provisions would be to bribe Members of Parliament (Malays and non-Malays) to amend the constitution. Then just to be sure, also bribe the Senators and also the King and sultans so they too would agree with the changes.

The price tag would be cheap. The late Tun Ghaffar once suggested that for a few hundred million ringgit you could buy the entire UMNO Supreme Council. With a billion or two you could get the whole parliament and the Council of Rulers.

The colonial British secured the entire country for considerably much less, even after factoring in for inflation and devaluation (of both the sterling and ringgit). Flattery made up for what they could not afford in gold. The British offered fancy titles like the Knighthood of some Medieval Order to our leaders and sultans to win them over.

The corollary to my observation is that if we Malays truly wish to preserve our cherished special privileges, we better start electing honest and incorrupt leaders. Corrupt leaders would not only sell off those special privileges, they will also sell away our country.

Unity for What and Against Whom? Following the Barisan election rout of March 8, 2008, the fear that the coalition, specifically UMNO, would lose power at the national level was palpable. This desperation led misguided souls in UMNO to seek those in PAS who had been longing for power. This quest for a ‘unity government’ was nothing more than UMNO securing an insurance policy for its continuing hold on power; for PAS, it was a seductive teasing on the taste of power.

It is ironic that the pursuit of a “unity government” resulted only in sowing distrust within the existing coalitions. In pursuing PAS, UMNO succeeded only in straining relations with its long-time Barisan partners. PAS meanwhile managed only to poison its still frail Pakatan Rakyat coalition with PKR and DAP. Worse, as we are now seeing, it also threatens the unity of PAS.

The proponents for this “unity government” have obviously not done their due diligence or any downstream analysis. Those UMNO warlords would not take kindly to sharing their bounty with their new kopiah-clad upstart colleagues. Far from ‘purifying’ UMNO, PAS would end up being just as corrupt as UMNO.

It is remarkable that both Tun Mahathir and Tok Guru Nik Aziz are against the idea. I do not know their individual motives, but the fact they are both in rare agreement should serve as a cautionary note.

If the disintegration of UMNO and PAS were the consequence of this “unity” movement, I could not care less. However, the initiative would poison race relations in the country on a scale comparable to the May 1969 tragedy. Indeed the venom has already seeped out. That should concern everyone.

This “unity government” scheme is nothing more than a crude and greedy power-grab by the UMNO and PAS pair. It is not to be confused with Tun Razak’s version following the May 1969 tragedy. Then it was truly a unity initiative, with the wise Tun opening up the old Alliance coalition to all willing participants.

This latest scheme is the ugliest manifestation of Malay ultra chauvinism. It would lead not to unity but greater polarizations among Malays as well as between Malays and non-Malays, and at a time when we can least afford it.

Even if UMNO were to merge with PAS, the new coalition would still never command a two-third majority in Parliament. At last count, even if every Member of Parliament with a Malay-sounding name were to vote in “unity,” that would still fall far short of a supra majority needed to amend the constitution. The political calculus has changed irreversibly.

The central reality is that Malays will have to advance with and not at the expense of non-Malay Malaysians. Likewise, non-Malays would advance along with and not at the expense of Malays. The unity that we should all strive for must not only be among Malays but also among Malaysians. We can begin that process not by pursuing a “unity government” but decreasing the rhetoric that polarizes our society. Demanding that our political leaders be civil and courteous to each other would be an excellent beginning. Oh yes, please also keep those kerises sheathed!

It amuses me that the most vigorous proponents of this “unity government” in UMNO and PAS are also the shrillest and most divisive voices before they discovered this ‘unity’ religion.

A New Direction For Malays

Instead of wasting time and effort in chasing the mirage of Malay ‘unity’ and in the process unnecessarily alienating others, Malay leaders should focus on the more difficult and critical problem of enhancing Malay competitiveness. This problem cannot be solved simply by shouting slogans of Malay unity or Ketuanan Melayu. Instead we need leaders who are smart, competent, diligent, and above all, not corrupt.

Look at the schools Malay children attend. How can we expect them to learn English or science when we do not provide them with competent teachers? Examine the institutions run predominantly by Malays, the civil service for example. As Malays we should be ashamed of this. We need these institutions to be effective as they are a key to making Malays competitive.

The list is endless. What is limited, and severely so, is the willingness to acknowledge, let alone solve them. I have yet to hear something sensible from either PAS or UMNO leaders. So far PAS wants Malays not to learn English and to ban Sisters in Islam. Well, that is an advancement of sorts; at least they are not harping on hudud. As for UMNO leaders, they cannot even decide whether to continue teaching science and mathematics in English.

Malay leaders should not be deluding the masses with half-baked ideas of “Malay unity.” These leaders succeed only in deluding themselves.

Comment: It is interesting to note the important point in this article, Unity for what and against whom? Are we (Malaysian society as a whole) at the brink of disaster.. or only a party or group of people are in that position at the moment. 'False consciousness' can easily be constructed and those who are not aware of it will think that it is the truth or the right thing to do... and once again they become their prey... it is thus a dangerous poison indeed.

Umno info chief tells BN partners: Don’t worry

Malaysian Insider, PONTIAN Sunday June 21, 2009

Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties should not be worried over the proposed PAS-Umno unity government talks as it is not intended to sideline any party in the coalition, Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said.

“They should not be unduly worried as we won’t be sidelining anyone. We need them in the discussion,” he told reporters after opening a seminar on mosque and surau here today.

The proposed unity government was mooted by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang but is opposed by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Ahmad, who is Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the proposed talks would not only benefit the Malays but also the people as a whole. He also expressed confidence that the majority of people in the country would agree to the proposed talks.

“Those who disagree with it, like Nik Aziz, are a minority group in the country,” he said, adding that the proposed unity government would help strengthen the country’s political and economic stability.

Ahmad also said that there was no need for PAS to seek permission from DAP or Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to talk to Umno as the party had its own strength. — Bernama

Comment: How can you bridge alliance with other parties without informing your partners? How in the world is this going to work when you only say, .. not to worry... to your partners while they are still component of your coalition party. Unity government is a nil oppositon government. Bridging link with only PAS without the rest of PR members would only form another kind of coalition, not Unity Government. Moreover, why does this issue emerge as very important now and not before when BN had superb control of the government and masses? Something went bankrupt somewhere..? or Advance preparation prior to 'bankruptcy declaration" in the next election..?

Soal Jawab: Kem Erdogan lawan ulama hakis dasar Pas

Berita Minggu 24 Mei 2009

Prof Madya Dr A Nidzamuddin Sulaiman,

Pensyarah Sains Politik

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Soalan: Menjelang pemilihan Pas, timbul perdebatan siapa yang patut dipilih sama ada calon mewakili ulama atau profesional. Pada ketika ini ramai mengatakan ahli Pas sendiri sebenarnya mahu profesional menjadi pemimpin untuk disesuaikan dengan keadaan semasa?

Jawapan: Ini adalah isu besar dalam Pas dan turut menjadi masalah kepada banyak parti berteraskan Islam di negara lain. Hakikat bahawa golongan ulama dicabar oleh golongan profesional atau golongan muda sudah menjadi isu lazim dalam banyak negara Muslim. Golongan ulama sudah lama memimpin Pas dan mempunyai pelapis seperti Datuk Dr Haron Din dan Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak untuk meneruskan kesinambungan. Namun, berlaku sedikit anjakan iaitu kelihatan semakin ramai profesional memegang jawatan penting seperti Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (bekas Menteri Besar Perak), Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar dan Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli.

Ketika Pas dipimpin Allahyarham Datuk Fadzil Noor, golongan ini dinamakan intelektual Islam dan ini menunjukkan mereka sudah lama wujud tetapi kini lebih dikenali sebagai profesional. Walaupun berlatar belakangkan kerjaya profesional seperti doktor perubatan, jurutera atau ahli akademik, jiwa Islam dan semangat mereka kepada perjuangan amat kental dan juga mahir menangani pelbagai isu agama, perjuangan parti dan isu ummah dewasa ini.

Kini, bilangan mereka semakin bertambah dan semakin berpengaruh. Saya melihat ini sebagai perkembangan sihat. Meskipun dianggap profesional, semangat dan komitmen mereka kepada perjuangan tidak boleh dipertikai. Pengetahuan dan kemahiran mereka mengenai agama juga amat tinggi. Jika mereka diberi peluang memegang jawatan utama, Pas tidak akan berubah banyak dasarnya, malah boleh menjadi lebih progresif. Namun, tidak bermakna golongan ulama mesti dipinggirkan kerana mereka tetap penting kepada parti.

Apa yang menjadi isu ialah tidak wajar parti menetapkan hanya ulama menjadi pemimpin utama, apatah lagi sudah ada Majlis Syura dianggotai golongan ulama yang bertindak sebagai lembaga pengarah menggubal keputusan penting. Pada zaman ini, keterbukaan (menerima golongan profesional) menjadi pilihan orang ramai. Mungkin mereka tidak akan menyuarakan isu ini secara terbuka pada muktamar parti, tetapi tuntutan pengiktirafan kepada golongan profesional tetap berkembang dan tidak boleh dielakkan.

Soalan: Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang kekal sebagai Presiden Pas selepas Mursyidul Am, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat tidak menawarkan diri bertanding jawatan itu. Adakah keputusan ini disengajakan bagi mengelak seorang daripada dua tokoh ini daripada tenggelam?

Jawapan: Kedua-dua pemimpin ini tonggak utama parti dan memiliki cara tersendiri dalam kepemimpinan. Walaupun kadangkala berlaku perselisihan pendapat seperti isu muzakarah atau muqabalah, mereka saling menghormati. Sudah tentu parti tidak mahu kehilangan salah seorang daripada mereka, maka disusun seolah-olah tidak berlaku sebarang cabaran.

Nik Aziz pula tidak pernah menyatakan hasrat untuk memegang jawatan presiden atau mencabar Hadi. Kedua-dua faktor ini menjadikan keadaan lebih damai dan berupaya mengawal perpaduan dalam parti. Dalam budaya politik Melayu, cabaran kepada pemimpin tertinggi jarang sekali berlaku.

Dalam parti Melayu di negara kita, tidak ada presiden parti yang pernah dicabar dan kalah termasuk Umno. Masyarakat Melayu beragama Islam memang sentiasa mengutamakan penghormatan tinggi kepada pemimpin utama. Mereka lebih selesa dengan cara mengelak pertandingan walaupun amalan ini sebenarnya boleh mempersoalkan darjah keterbukaan dalam parti atau mudahnya, amalan demokrasi yang membenarkan pertandingan.

Soalan: Adakah kepemimpinan baru Pas yang bakal dipilih mampu membawa perubahan kepada parti dengan pendekatan yang lebih banyak menggunakan pendapat golongan profesional atau kekal dengan imej dan amalan sekarang?

Jawapan: Kehadiran profesional akan menghasilkan pasukan bercampur antara golongan muda dan senior. Penggemblengan tenaga akan merumuskan pelbagai dasar atau keputusan yang progresif tetapi masih tidak lari daripada prinsip asas yang dipegang. Pengaruh dan desakan golongan profesional dipercayai akan membawa Pas kepada era baru yang berbeza daripada era ulama terdahulu. Golongan muda ini lebih sederhana meskipun berpegang kepada prinsip agama. Memang kadangkala boleh melahirkan perselisihan kecenderungan atau cara pelaksanaan. Jika tidak dapat ditangani secara berhemah, perselisihan kecil tetap boleh membawa kepada krisis lebih besar.

Soalan: Adakah Prof melihat Pas mampu membentuk ikatan kuat dalam Pakatan Rakyat dan meningkatkan keyakinan rakyat terutama pengundi bukan Islam?

Jawapan: Pas memang dikenali sebagai parti yang bergerak atas landasan agama. Matlamatnya jelas dan tidak ada keraguan dalam hal ini. Satu tugas besarnya ialah bagaimana bentuk pelaksanaan dalam kedudukannya bersama Pakatan Rakyat dan masyarakat Malaysia yang amat kompleks. Sepanjang ceramah dan manifesto, ia kelihatan mudah dalam usaha menarik keyakinan orang ramai, namun dalam realiti, perasaan skeptikal masih belum dapat dihapuskan terutama di kalangan bukan Islam. Ini adalah tugas utama Majlis Tertinggi Pas.

Alasan parti itu sudah mendapat sokongan pengundi bukan Melayu belum cukup meyakinkan bahawa ia sudah mendapat sepenuh keyakinan masyarakat. Dalam menghadapi perubahan gaya sokongan pengundi, perkara yang menjadi keutamaan mereka ketika ini ialah perhitungan politik, bukannya peningkatan keyakinan.

Wujud andaian tanpa kerjasama DAP, tidak mungkin Pas mendapat undi bukan Islam yang tinggi seperti pada pilihan raya raya umum dan pilihan raya kecil lalu. Dalam konteks ini, golongan profesional boleh memainkan peranan utama memastikan matlamat parti tercapai.

Soalan: Ketua Dewan Ulama Pas, Datuk Mohamed Daud Iraqi, baru-baru ini mendakwa politik sogokan mula menular dalam Pas dan ia mengejutkan kerana selama ini Pas menjadikan Islam sebagai teras perjuangan serta dilihat parti yang bersih. Adakah ini membuktikan Pas juga tidak terlepas daripada gejala melobi dan menyogok perwakilan, cuma sebelum ini ia tidak dihebahkan?

Jawapan: Itu adalah pandangan peribadi beliau, namun ia tidak mungkin keluar (disuarakan) tanpa sebarang pemerhatian atau desas-desus yang beliau dengar. Logiknya jika tiada angin, pokok tidak akan bergoyang. Ini bermakna memang wujud berita atau khabar mengenai gejala itu dalam parti yang sampai ke pengetahuan Ketua Dewan Ulama sehingga beliau menyuarakan pandangan dan kebimbangannya.

Walaupun parti ini bergerak atas nama Islam, perlu diakui aktor (watak) yang terbabit adalah manusia biasa dan tetap memiliki sifat lazim dalam politik dan persaingan kuasa. Pegangan jawatan membawa kepada peningkatan hierarki dan suara dalam parti. Suara ini pula tidak dapat dipisahkan daripada pemilikan kuasa. Kerana kuasa, tidak menghairankan jika ada yang bertindak secara 'machiavellian'. Mungkin keadaan melobi dan menyogok ini tidak seteruk parti lain tetapi disebabkan Pas bergerak atas nama Islam, sekecil mana saiznya pun ia tetap dilihat amat mencemarkan.

Soalan: Berbalik kepada pemilihan dalam Pas, jawatan Timbalan Presiden hanya akan dicabar dua Naib Presiden, Datuk Husam Musa dan Mohamad Sabu. Adakah kehadiran dua orang kuat ini mampu menggugat kedudukan penyandangnya, Nasharuddin Mat Isa?

Jawapan: Kedua-dua calon ini adalah pemimpin kanan Pas yang sedang meningkat naik. Kedua-duanya juga cukup popular dalam politik tanah air apatah lagi dalam Pas. Mohamad Sabu lebih popular di luar atau dalam erti kata mudah, setiap ceramah politiknya sentiasa berjaya menarik perhatian khalayak yang besar, malah sudah boleh dianggap sebagai selebriti Pas. Namun perlu diingat bahawa bukan orang kebanyakan yang bakal mengundi pada pemilihan Pas nanti, mungkin hanya segolongan kecil. Husam juga tidak mudah dipinggirkan kerana beliau mempunyai pengaruh dan penyokong.

Bagaimanapun, saya berpendapat kedudukan Nasharuddin masih di depan kerana beliau dikenali ramai, diberi kepercayaan dalam pelbagai tanggungjawab dan melaksanakannya dengan baik. Beliau kelihatan kurang bermain politik dan kurang bercakap tetapi kuat bekerja dengan penuh komitmen dalam tanggungjawab. Sikap kurang politiking ini tidak melemahkan sokongan, sebaliknya meningkatkan hormat penyokong terhadapnya kerana orang ramai lebih sukakan individu yang bekerja kuat untuk parti. Keputusan Husam dan Mohamad Sabu untuk merebut jawatan lebih tinggi membuka ruang kepada Ketua Dewan Pemuda Pas, Salahuddin Ayub dan Ketua Penerangan, Datuk Mahfuz Omar untuk mengisi jawatan Naib Presiden.

Soalan: Adakah Prof percaya susunan calon itu juga sebenarnya membabitkan wakil kumpulan tertentu atau pakatan?

Jawapan: Jika dilihat sekali imbas memang kelihatan pemilihan parti kali ini seperti semuanya sudah dirancang secara berpusat, tetapi saya kira lebih banyak unsur kebetulan. Salahuddin melepaskan jawatannya kerana faktor usia dan cuba mendaki tingkat (jawatan) setangga di atas. Mahfuz juga pernah jadi Ketua Pemuda dan sememangnya kedudukan lebih tinggi selepas itu ialah Naib Presiden. Unsur kebetulan yang kuat memang boleh mendorong pemerhati untuk melihat ini sebagai satu perancangan yang rapi, apatah lagi dengan tidak ada persaingan. Ia seperti sudah disusun dengan teliti supaya kelihatan seperti dua pemimpin pergi dan dua lagi menyusul sebagai ganti.

Komen: Memang menarik untuk memerhatikan persaingan antara kumpulan muda profesional vs kumpulan Ulama dalam perhimpunan parti ini tidak lama lagi.