Finally, UMNO has admitted it is no longer the powerful entity it once was. The same UMNO that used to scorn PAS, that went all out to discredit PAS and tried everything in the book to paint PAS as an extremist party with radical tendencies trying to choke cruel Islamic Laws down people’s throats.
It even accused PAS of disuniting the Malays and disloyal to the Malay cause. Accusing it of sleeping with the devil by its association with DAP and PKR, UMNO has always been a thorn to the admirable image of PAS.
Then comes this latest news resport:
(Bernama) – The door for Umno-PAS discussions on a solidarity government has never been closed, Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said today.
Ahmad said that Umno looked forward to the day when Malays were united and no longer split because of politics.
“If PAS should decide to no longer be with PKR and the DAP in the opposition pact, we would be ready to discuss a solidarity government with them,” he told reporters after a meeting here with Umno members from Bukit Payung and Ru Rendang.
PAS Spiritual Advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat is one of the most respected leaders in Malaysia today. Constant attacks by BN in the past to discredit him have been met with total failure, and today the respect for him grows even fonder. His vehement objection of a marriage of convenience with UMNO has surprised even the most hardened political observers.
Why should PAS even want to consider joining UMNO and compromise on all its values? Hasn’t UMNO understood what PAS said? Are they deaf? PAS is not about the Malays. PAS fights for ISLAM and for Muslims. And the party is open to all Muslims regardless of race.
PAS believes in 1Malaysia and equality for all Malaysians. PAS is willing to compromise for a United Malaysia and equal opportunities for all. PAS fights for Malaysians, PAS champions for a true moderate Islamic model, PAS does not champion one particular race.
PAS champions for all Muslims be it Chinese, Indian, Mongolian or Eskimo. PAS believes that God will take care of all Muslims regardless of Race. Malay unity doesn’t come into play here. PAS also does not stigmatize Non Muslims and everyone deserves its respect.
PAS is not interested to champion a Government that refuses to uphold Democracy or Religious Rights, Or laws that continually goes against the Malaysian Constitution. PAS prefers to be in the Pakatan Rakyat as a protector and moderator for Islam, should the PR coalition ever achieve its objective to be the ruling coalition of this nation.
PAS is a party that upholds the goodness of Religion and not race. PAS will not compromise its moral religious ideals to crave for power and wealth. PAS is more comfortable in Pakatan Rakyat, as PR fight for the same ideals. If PAS were to join UMNO it will again be infected with the same virus that has plagued UMNO all this while. This will also lead to PAS leaders abandoning its ideals in the name of power and fame.
In the past Unity Talks by both parties, and offers of seats and promotions was met with failure, followed by curses and threats by the latter. One cannot discount the fact, that there will always be some black sheep within PAS, that still harbours the dream of instant riches and power that comes with a unity pact. But so far, by the grace of God, PAS has always been able to put its foot down.
UMNO, as the leader in the BN coalition is championing the exact opposite of what PAS stands for, and until today its obstinate refusal to implement reforms has made Malaysians shy away. Its procrastination and feet dragging seem to be more visible as the days go by. While holding stubbornly to outdated race based politics, championing the rights of one community and making 2nd class citizens of the rest, It goes on to frighten its citizens that it ‘s current policies are still needed to ensure national security.
When Nik Aziz proclaimed that, he did not ask to be born Malay, didn’t UMNO try to crucify him by saying how ungrateful he was, and that he wouldn’t be what he is today if he wasn’t a Malay? Such childish displays of defamation will not go down well with Malaysians.
The constant propaganda in the Main Stream Media about UMNO’s quest to improve the Malay plight in the past, their current policies to ensure Malay Rights are not trampled upon, and their future policies to ensure equal Malay participation, will not change the Malay’s perception of UMNO. Malays just smile and shrug it off as mere propaganda, knowing full well it will not improve their plight one bit or it may never ever trickle down to them. Only the Non Malays are constantly deceived by such deceptive propaganda.
The way UMNO leaders pacify the Malays by saying how great they are being accorded bumiputra status, and then saying that Malays are still handicapped and still needed crutches, and then chiding Malays for being ungrateful to the government is so embarrassing and disgusting, it’s a wonder, that none of them has asked the government to Go and Fly Kites!!
UMNO must ask himself why Malays are deserting UMNO by the droves. It is not the propaganda by PAS and PKR. It is actually what PAS and PKR did not do, that made the Malays determined to accept the Pakatan Rakyat Coalition. UMNO cannot delude themselves and others that they are the only alternative for the Malays. Sympathetic votes in the future will not save UMNO and neither will the employment of dishonest means to project a Malay image.
UMNO is desperate, and it cannot survive on sympathy votes for long, Like the MCA it needs PAS to survive. If PAS tries to resuscitate UMNO, it will also be infected by a sickly UMNO. If PAS joins UMNO it will risk desertion from its own members who knows UMNO’s past too well. The only parties that are still stuck with UMNO are the non Malay 12 coalition who believes in UMNO’s struggle. And if PAS is only one party, against the rest of the 12coalition, why is the rest of the coalition unable to prop up a giant like UMNO?
Has UMNO given it a thought to join PAS instead? After all UMNO doesn’t even sound Malay. UMNO means United Malay National Organization while PAS means Parti Islam SeMalaysia. So PAS is a more unifying name for Malaysians and it sounds more Malay and Malaysian. I doubt PAS will give UMNO that honour though!
PAS’s door is closed, although UMNO’s door is still opened but UMNO is constantly knocking on PAS’s door, hoping a sympathetic PAS may open it one day. Maybe after the election? But unless UMNO changes its radical mindset, and accept that Malays need more than crutches, cease to insult the Malays and openly accept reforms to be in tune with the 21st century, UMNO will be of no use to PAS. PAS would not want UMNO to pollute its membership with visions of grandeur, power and wealth. PAS members are above that.
If UMNO feels it is too difficult for it to give up its ways, UMNO can always try to join Pakatan Rakyat, and together they can try to compete against the other 12 parties in the BN coalition. But will PR accept a humble UMNO?-Malaysia Chronicle
