The Umno Youth Leader has just uploaded his latest item in his Blog. I thought, for once, I would debate all the issues with him rather than do the usual (linking back to his Blog) whereby the only comments we would receive would be ranting and raving from Malaysia Today’s readers.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Dinosaur Diversions
By Khairy Jamaluddin
DAP Parliamentary Leader YB Lim Kit Siang recently charged that the proposed muzakarah (dialogue) between UMNO and PAS is against the concept of 1Malaysia, shockingly implying that Malay-Muslim unity was not good for the country. Never mind that such sentiments are as absurd as they are borderline racist, Kit Siang, true to form, is ignoring facts that don't fit his prejudiced and jaundiced views.
First of all, Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak stated unequivocally just a few days ago that any unity government - itself never set as a necessary objective of any talks - between BN/UMNO and PAS would not result in non-Muslims being sidelined.
Secondly, as I have stressed from the very beginning, the muzakarah need not be confined to Malay-Muslim issues. Instead, any proposed talks should involve issues of national interest with the hope that the discussions will bring out the best in and most progressive elements of both parties.
Is this too far-fetched a notion for Kit Siang to comprehend? It was after all the leader UMNO and BN that came up with the 1Malaysia concept of inclusivity and mutual respect and Kit Siang's own party is partners with another whose political platform, albeit a recent one, is "PAS for All" after decades of conservative and radical rhetoric. Surely, neither UMNO nor PAS are going to squander attempts to engage with non-Malay/Muslim communities just by talking to one another. In fact, it is imperative that the muzakarah and any subsequent cooperation between UMNO and PAS continue with the spirit of both 1Malaysia and "PAS for All" to demonstrate the inclusivity of this union towards non-Malays/Muslims.
Kit Siang's persistence in arguing that the muzakarah and 1Malaysia are not reconcilable suggests that he believes any UMNO-PAS collaboration will necessarily be racist and threatening to non-Malays/Muslims. I find this position bemusing as his supposedly multi-racial party remains extremely dominated by one race.
Between parties that are explicitly ethnic or religion-based and one that calls itself multiethnic but has failed to really attract members beyond one ethnic group over the last 44 years, I think the latter an example of hypocrisy and disingenuousness. In fact, Kit Siang is a walking example of failure and insincerity when it comes to promoting national unity as demonstrated by his largely monoethnic "multiethnic" party.
As for the question about how BN component parties will react to such talks, Kit Siang should do some homework and refer to MCA Deputy President's statement in support of the unity talks, stating that they “would not affect unity among the races," and that MCA was "confident that UMNO is aware of its responsibility to the people of Malaysia." Now, the hyperbolic-cynic in Kit Siang may attempt another smokescreen and suggest that we shouldn't take Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek's remarks as representative of MCA, but when the deputy president of a party speaks, you'd better well listen.
Speaking of diversionary tactics, perhaps the reason Kit Siang is so keen on attacking the muzakarah proposal is to cover up the serious cracks that exist within Pakatan Rakyat. First things first: the continued absence of PAS deputy president YB Nasharudin Mat Isa from Parliament last week and the stone cold silence of party president YB Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang all point towards the reality that all is not well within PAS. It takes no genius to figure out that the party is deeply split. The likes of Nasharudin and Haji Hadi in the pro-muzakarah camp are fed up with the relentless pestering, insensitivity and insults of DAP leaders like YB Karpal Singh and tired of the cult of personality around YB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim that is PKR. Simultaneously, they are waging an internal battle with the "Erdogans" - many defeated in the recent party polls - who are seemingly willing to sacrifice principles and dignity to ride with Anwar to power. These developments represent a slap in the face for the biggest and most established party in Pakatan – treated like a junior partner and bullied to no end.
Notwithstanding that, let me ask this of PAS: if it is willing to put aside its dignity to latch on to the coattails of PKR and DAP, why can't it get the Pakatan alliance to resolve issues fundamental to its existence and readiness to govern? At the very least, PAS deserves some firm commitment from PKR and DAP that their coalition be formalized and the division of responsibilities be made clear to all. This would save PAS from being treated as the under-appreciated component of Pakatan tasked with not much more than mobilizing crowds for a ceramah.
Why, for example, is Pakatan so hesitant to register itself as an official political coalition like BN? If even that is too much to ask, why can't it outline a shadow cabinet or name a candidate for Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister? Quite confusingly too, if Haji Hadi's speech at the recent Muktamar is anything to go by, PAS feels itself ready to lead any prospective Pakatan Federal Government. Is Kit Siang and DAP agreeable to the PAS president being the Prime Minister of Malaysia? I am also sceptical of Anwar’s readiness to give up his 'suspended destiny' of becoming PM in favour of Haji Hadi. What, if any, is the consensus within Pakatan?
Malaysians have the right to know the answers to these questions. Instead of confronting them, Pakatan leaders appear to dancing to the tune of "we'll work them out later" - sweeping issues under the carpet to paint a nice, wholesome picture. I will say this to them, do so at your own peril - the goodwill that Pakatan enjoys post-March 2008 amongst sections of the rakyat is fast disappearing. Granted, Barisan Nasional’s weaknesses are known but we are committed to fixing them for the future, grounded in our rich history and strong fundamentals. Pakatan's failings, on the other hand, are now rapidly surfacing with little indication that its leaders are interested in resolving issues about Pakatan's readiness to govern and instead are continuing with their stale, staple fare of finding fault in others - hardly a convincing proposition for Malaysian voters.
http://www.rembau.net.my/
The issue is not whether Malay unity is good for the country or otherwise. Maybe Malay unity is good. But Malaysian unity is even better. What is it anyway that the Malays wish to unite against? And have the Malays always been united in the past whereas it is only now that they are not united?
If one were to study the history of this country -- and I don’t mean the history since only 1946 when Umno was formed and is said to have opposed the British in the pursuit of independence for Malaya -- you will see that the Malays have never been united. The Malays have always been at war with each other.
In the Kuala Lumpur Wars during the time of Sultan Abdul Samad, one group of Malays sided with one group of Chinese to fight against another group of Malays who had sided with another group of Chinese. As much as the history books try to suggest that it was Chinese versus Chinese (some even say it was the Ghee Hins against the Hai Sans), the truth of the matter is it was one Chinese-Malay group versus another Chinese-Malay group.
Selangor was in chaos with thousands massacred on both sides. Eventually, the British had to step in to restore order and to protect British business interests, which were being affected by the bloodshed.
The same happened in Negeri Sembilan earlier. Then, it was the Malays versus the Dutch colonialists. But another group of Malays sided with the Dutch to defeat the opposing Malays.
During the Japanese Occupation from 1941 to 1945, one group of Malays joined Chin Peng to oppose the Japanese -- this was when the CPM (Communist Party of Malaya) was still called the MPAJA (Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army) -- while another group of Malays worked with Japanese. Even back then the Malays was split into the pro-Communist group and the pro-Japanese group.
And even earlier still one group of Malays worked with the Portuguese to bring down the Malay government of Melaka. Further north, another group of Malays worked with the Siamese to defeat another group of Malays who wanted to create an independent territory free of Siamese domination.
In short, since the beginning of time, the Malays have never been united even against the Siamese, Portuguese, Dutch, British or Japanese colonialists/invaders. Why is it so crucial for the Malays to now unite long after the Colonialists have all gone home and the country has seen independence for more than 50 years?
We normally unite against something or someone. If the Malays must unite then it should be for a reason like to oppose a foreign invader or colonial power. Is there such a reason for the Malays to unite? Or is that Umno is suggesting the Malays unite against fellow-Malaysians who are non-Malays?
There is a certain amount of merit in Khairy’s comments on some of the other issues although his arguments may not be too much on the dot. For example, he pointed out the weaknesses and failures of the opposition coalition. True, these do exist. Some of these weaknesses can in fact be attributed to the Menteri Besar running those Pakatan Rakyat states. But how would the Malay unity talks be able to address these weaknesses? It is like saying since you are already weak then why not join us anyway?
Since 1999 many of us have been saying what Khairy is saying -- that the opposition should be formalised as a legally-registered entity like Barisan Nasional and that it should contest the general elections not only on a common name but also a common banner, logo and flag. But we were told you need seven political parties to register as a coalition and the opposition currently comprises of only three parties. If this is true then maybe Khairy can get the government to change the rules whereby even two political parties can register as a coalition. Then let’s see Pakatan Rakyat as a legally-registered party with its own flag, banner and logo. And in the next election PKR, DAP and PAS need no longer use their own colours to contest.
I am not too perturbed about the other issues raised by Khairy -- in particular the perceived chaos and disunity in the opposition. You see: it is quite normal for politicians to compete. This is what makes them politicians. And when there is no enemy to face they fight amongst themselves. This is sort of like staying in training and keeping your reflexes sharp.
Politicians will always fight. They fight amongst themselves. They fight the other side. This is what makes them tough and seasoned politicians. The most important thing is will they close ranks during the general election and when facing the real enemy or will they sabotage each other and allow the enemy to win out of sheer spite?
Pakatan Rakyat, just like Barisan Nasional, has internal squabbles -- both inter-party and intra-party. But they have demonstrated a certain level of maturity by uniting and ensuring victory for the opposition during an election. And this is something Barisan Nasional is not able to do.
So I agree with what Khairy said. But it is not something to be overly worried about -- although it is extremely irritating to see the opposition go for each other’s throats when it should be Umno or Barisan Nasional that they should be attacking instead. But as long as they can unite and not engage in three- or four-corner fights come election time, and work hard to ensure that the opposition candidate wins, that is all that matters and I am prepared to allow them this little distraction until then.
Nevertheless, this is still not enough ground for Malay unity talks, if this is what Khairy is trying to suggest. Anyway, the type of Malay unity that Khairy is suggesting means united under Umno. Can’t the Malays unite under PAS? If all we seek is Malay unity then it does not matter under which banner they unite as long as they unite.
If, for example, more Malays support PAS than Umno, would they be prepared to close down Umno and all of them join PAS for the sake of Malay unity? If Malay unity is really the issue then it does not matter under which party the Malays unite. And if Malay unity is so important, then closing down Umno and everyone uniting under PAS would be a small price to pay. I mean: Malay unity should be above Umno or PAS if Malay unity and not Umno is the crucial factor.
Khairy calls his piece Dinosaur Diversions. For that matter many of his arguments about Anwar, Karpal, Kit Siang, etc., are exactly that, diversions. Those are not crucial to the issue. What is would be that Malays have never been united since time immemorial. And they will never be united till the end of time. Accept that. And accept that there is no solution to this. Hey, even Umno has never been united since the day it was formed.
The next issue to note is that we should no longer be talking about Malay unity. We should be talking about Malaysian unity. We are far from achieving unity as Malaysians. And the more we talk about Malay unity the harder it would be to achieve Malaysian unity. Can I hear Khairy start talking about this? But don’t just talk. That is sheer lip service. Show us that you are doing something about it.
And on the national issues that Khairy proposes, this is simple. There are so many national issues to address and all have been raised here in Malaysia Today many times in the past. So I need not waste time repeating them yet again. Khairy knows what they are. I know what they are. Everyone reading this knows what they are. But Umno is resistant to all these ideas. Umno opposes the will of the people. Umno is not in the least interested in reforms.
And this is where the problem lies.
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