COMMENT The Umno-PAS unity talks issue is once again being played up by the mainstream media, especially the Malay dailies. So what is the euphoria about?
According to reports, the Malays are split along the lines of Umno, PAS and PKR, which was even acknowledged by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
If Umno's argument is taken into account that PAS should merge with it in order to have only one party representing the Malays, then a new party should be formed called Parti Melayu SeMalaysia.
True to the 1Malaysia concept, all Chinese parties should fall under one entity, called Parti Cina SeMalaysia, and similarly, there should also be a Parti India SeMalaysia as well as Parti Sabah SeMalaysia and Parti Sarawak SeMalaysia.
All the five component parties should come under the 1Malaysia Party coalition.
If this becomes a reality, then we can also scrap the need for elections and the coalition can push through any policy without objection, or check and balance.
The manner in which the unity talks are played up gives the impression that the Malays are the only people in the world who are disunited.
Apart from the full monarchy system in Brunei, can Umno name any other country in the world that just has one party?
Thais, Indonesians, Singaporeans, Japanese, Koreans, Chinese and Indians all have more than one party in their country. Even more developed countries like the US, Britain, France, Germany and Australia have more than one party.
So what is the fuss about? Is Umno telling us that by having more than one party, a particular race will be divided?
The fact is, people are smarter than what Umno thinks, and the Malays are no different. They can tell the difference between political affiliations and personal relationships with relatives, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
What about the fence-sitters?
The writer believes that out of the estimated 11.16 million registered voters, nearly half are not aligned to any political parties. So how can Umno come to the conclusion that the Malays are divided because of politics?
Should Umno and PAS merge, will it stop the social ills among the Malays? Will it stop corruption and pave the way for good governance?
Even if the merger takes place, what guarantee is there that the Malays will not be split on the political battlefield, given the countless infighting in Umno itself during party elections. Umno should put its house in order first.
And if Umno is sincere about Malay unity, then why is it ignoring the Malays in PKR, who make up 65% percent of the party. Why only PAS?
This proves that Umno's agenda is not Malay unity, but the party has an ulterior motive.
It is also surprising that no PAS leader has raised this issue, to ask Umno why it is not extending an olive branch to those in PKR as well.
1 comment:
Say man, what does the huge signboard above PWTC say? UMNO - UNITED Malays National Organization, supposedly establish in 1946 and today, after 64 years, you are still TRYING TO UNITE A DIVIDE RACE? What a joke!
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