KUALA LUMPUR: One is a long established political party which has become an institution for the Malays and the other is a newly-formed non-governmental organisation (NGO), also for the Malays.
The first one is manoeuvring cautiously so as not to lose its influence while the other is “rolling on like a tank”, mowing down whoever is in its path.
The first is Umno and the second Perkasa. Although different in outlook, both cannot deny that they share a similar objective – championing the cause of the Malays, that is, protecting their rights and privileges.
Both organisations are now “locking horns” in the race to win over the Malays as they eye the next general election.
For Umno, retaining its influence among the Malays is vital for its survival as other BN component parties are “virtually defunct” and can no longer to woo the other races.
Perkasa’s existence has in one way or another loosened Umno’s grip on the Malays and this is not good for the party.
Umno members are also members or supporters of Perkasa and they are vocal in defending Malay rights and privileges.
New challenge
Umno, formed before Independence with the sole objective of gaining Independence and championing and protecting the rights of the Malays, is now facing a new challenge.
Perkasa, formed in 2009 following the dismal performance of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2008 general election, is fast gaining popularity among the Malays who consider it as an ideal platform to voice their rights amidst renewed calls for a “free enterprise” business environment in the country.
The reason for Perkasa's rising acceptance is simple: members of Perkasa claimed that Umno has lost its “sense of direction” as the Malay-based party is getting more moderate in its approaches.
This claim, depending on which side one is looking at, is debatable. As far as Umno is concerned, it is still the “Malay champion” but it takes a different approach to reflect the reality of the multi-racial background of the country.
A recent “verbal onslaught” by Umno and BN secretary-general, Tengku Adnan Mansor, against Perkasa had further strained the relationship between Umno -- seeking or rather trying to sustain the trust and confidence of the Malays -- and Perkasa -- now considered the biggest Malay NGO -- out to woo the disgruntled Malays to its banner.
Adding credibility to Perkasa is the direct support from former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is still respected and highly regarded as a statesman by the Malays and non-Malays alike.
Mahathir had commented that Umno could not do it alone in the coming general election as it needed to work together with NGOs or other Malay-based political parties.
Mahathir, though out of mainstream politics, is still very much in touch with the feelings and pulse of the Malay through his writings in his blog. Indeed, his statements at any functions have always being watched, deciphered, and interpreted with great interest by observers.
'Threat' to Umno
Many Umno and Perkasa members opined that Mahathir wanted Umno to co-operate with Perkasa, which already boasts 200,000 members. And some 80% of them are Umno members and leaders.
Led by its firebrand Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali, Perkasa is now seen as a “threat” to Umno as well as component parties of BN for its stand on Malay rights and privileges.
Ibrahim said he did not care what others thought of Perkasa so long as the organisation did not stray from its objectives, which were to champion and struggle for the Malays, Islam and country.
“Until today, Perkasa has not wavered from its objectives and if Umno leaders and BN component parties think Perkasa is racial, prove it.
“Check how many police reports have been lodged against Perkasa for being racist?” he asked.
But Umno’s constitution also spelled out the same objectives as Perkasa.
Thus, to the Malays, Umno or Perkasa is a matter of interpretation: it all depends on which side one is on.
The verbal attacks by Tengku Adnan and Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz had, in one way or another, some effect on Perkasa’s popularity.
An Umno member from Teluk Intan Ahmad Jadawi Ghazali said Umno has to decide its direction.
“The party cannot be pursuing its objectives while trying to satisfy other races.
“As a BN backbone, yes... the party leaders who are national leaders must be fair to all citizens but at the same time, the party must not lose sight of its objectives, which are to champion the Malay cause.
“Right now the leadership is pursuing other things rather than strengthening the party from within, which is very important for the coming general election,” he said.
Padang Besar Umno division chief Zahidi Zainal Abidin said Umno must know its direction and where it stands before making enemies of Perkasa.
“There is no point making enemies of organisations that support Umno and BN.
“Know which direction the party is heading first and then move in that direction.
“Right now the party seems to be heading neither here nor there,” he said.
Thus, from the looks of it, Umno may not do itself any good by distancing itself from Perkasa as the majority of Perkasa members are also from Umno. And these members are influential in their own ways.
No comments:
Post a Comment