Pakatan government close to collapse

Pakatan government is indeed a fragile coalition, it’s now close to collapse and it could fall at any time.

The Kedah DAP had announced its decision to withdraw from the PAS-led government over the demolition of the sole pig abattoir in the state.

The PKR Member of Parliament for Kulim Bandar Baru in Kedah, Zulkifli Noordin said, it was meaningless for DAP to remain in Pakatan if it could not tolerate its two partners in the alliance. The party had to exercise mutual understanding to remain in the opposition pact or strike out on its own.

In George Town, state PKR chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim accused Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of failing to practice the principles of justice and compassion in the running dispute over the sacking of PKR Seberang Prai municipal councillor Johari Kassim.

These incidents clearly presented evidence of the role of internal conflict of Pakatan. They lack common policies and common stand on issues that may arise anytime. From time to time, sensitive issues may arise which require some disciplinary intervention that Pakatan has yet to develop.

Undeniably, the ideological isolationism of DAP, PAS, and PKR but driven the narrow alley of a political coalition in order to share power, is by far the main factor to cause the collapse of the fragile coalition government.

A vote for PAS was requisite for entering heaven?

BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said, voting neither BN nor PAS would automatically allow Muslims to enter heaven.

Muhyiddin Yassin

Instead, what prevents Muslims from entering heaven was the sins they had committed, and not their choices of political parties.

The bottom-line was that both Barisan Nasional and PAS were parties that uphold Islamic struggles but the difference was that BN was capable of developing the country.

BN's ability to develop the country is better than PAS under Nik Aziz.

Muhyiddin wants PAS leaders to forgive and forget Umno's for their previous conflicts and expedite ‘unity talks' for the sake of Muslim unity.

PAS betray non Malay supporters

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng pointed out that as a coalition partner, PAS should not keep its allies, DAP and PKR in the dark over its ambitious plan to form a unity government in collaboration Malay–Muslim political power with UMNO.


Lim Guan Eng asking urgent respond and to request clarification from PAS on this issue to eliminate the misunderstanding has not come as a complete surprise but merely reflected the deepening crisis of the opposition coalition.

PAS are demanding to engage in talks for national unity, they are implicitly aiming the unity of the Malay community, gaining a position of power and become the national leader with the majority of Malays behind them, be in a position to introduce some form of Islamic governance.

Politically, PAS has sent mixed signals to its component partners in Pakatan and muddied the political situation. It seems that it might be the beginning of the end of Pakatan. PAS needs to get its house in order to avoid the undermine efforts internally and the opposition as a whole.

Should PAS moves towards UMNO, it will alienate their supporters and discredit as well as betrayal of the non Malay supporters who voted for the opposition especially PAS.

PAS leadership seems lack the accountability to its members and voters and ultimately will be split and lost support.

Is PAS anti development?

The standard of living refers to the quality and quantity of goods and services available and how these goods and services are distributed to the people.


Undeniably, development could help raise the living standard of the poor in the country. The developmental schemes could be more effective if these were drawn up after assessing the needs of the people.

How can the government managing more effectively to improve the living standard of the poor and enabling them to maximize the benefit she provides are the main problem face by responsible government.

Ironically, the Barisan Nasional federal government brings development to the people at all times, not just during elections.

Pas’ condemnation of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s development efforts in Kuala Terengganu by claiming that multi-million ringgit projects were implemented because there was a by-election in the area strongly indicated that the opposition party has run out of issues for the campaign in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election on Jan 17.

Terengganu had lagged behind under Pas’ administration. When BN took over the administration, rapid development occurred. The blaming of development is wastage by Pas is illogical.

The question remains: Is Pas really against development or otherwise?

Hadi confident Chinese will vote PAS in KT remains questionable

All this while, in the eye of the Malaysian Chinese community, PAS are religiously fundamentalist, extremist and racist, and in many ways at loggerheads with the values upheld by Pakatan Rakyat especially DAP.

On the other hand, Umno is more acceptable as Umno can create more liberal leaders than Pas.

Ironically, DAP and PKR are forced to ally with PAS due to current political situation. A strong believes and fears that with extreme measures such as enacting Islamic “hudud” laws, a vote for PAS may cause the Chinese to be suffered.

Undeniably, the MCA had delivered and believe will be delivered the Chinese votes to the Barisan Nasional whenever the classical battle between two Malay political parties in a Malay heartland.


Abdul Hadi Awang is confident that Chinese voters will swing behind the party in next month’s Kuala Terengganu by-election as they had previously benefited from four years of PAS rule thus remains questionable.

PAS loses non-Muslim support

Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) will implement hudud laws if the Pakatan Rakyat coalition takes over the administration of the country in a general election, according to party vice-president Datuk Husam Musa.


He reiterated the party’s pledge to implement the Islamic laws at a discourse on political transformation in Malaysia.

The attempt by the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) to enact hudud laws ran contrary to the Federal Constitution which requires an amendment of the federal constitution; it has been opposed bitterly by non-Malays and secular that this ulterior motive, which was inappropriate and unacceptable in a multi-racial and multi religious society like Malaysia.

PAS risks losing what little non-Muslim support it has during the 12th general election if persist tussling and proving its Islamic credentials.

Ironically, PAS needs not only maintaining Muslim support but also retain the non-Muslim support politically it obtained on the back of a more united opposition alliance back then. It is a tall order if it continues to push for hudud laws.

Indeed, the "political ploy to out-Islamize" over the issue of hudud is an unwise political strategy as it causes the opposition alliance to split. It triggers a political crisis of confidence toward multi-ethnic Chinese-based Democratic Action Party and undermine non-Muslim support for the opposition especially PAS itself.

PAS can’t win over Chinese voters in Kuala Terengganu by-election

Chinese is comprising 11 per cent of the electorate of about 80,000 of the electorate in the P36 Kuala Terengganu constituency and seems to play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the coming by-election.


The political impact is great toward the political future of BN and PAS in the by-election. Can PAS winning over the highest number of Chinese voters in the state capital of Kuala Terengganu which surrounded by 99 percent of the population Malays, remains the vital question for the leaders of partisan parties and political analysis to chronicles this exciting result.

Traditionally, the 11% Chinese voters in the electorate is strongly backed BN which is considerably more liberal among the parties. PAS’s Islamic policy would certainly claim to create uneasiness among the Chinese voters.


The PAS years of administration in Terengganu strongly are remembered for its Islamic policies. The attempts to implement Hudud law, the ban on sale of alcohol, the prohibition of karaoke and public performances and gender segregation are by far the most inane frequently discussed subject matter.

The Chinese criticized PAS for the underlying threat in its attempts to them. They would not take softer tone on PAS as it has proof not changed in any way, despite its apparent softer approach toward non-Islamic society.

The by-election is claimed never been a better time to be the utmost crucial and forthcoming radical political platform for PAS to show that Islam and PAS is the only way forward for the Malay.

Hudud and qisas laws totally unacceptable by MCA

PAS has never wavered from their theocratic Islamic state concept and is staunchly in favour of an Islamic state which includes the imposition of hudud and qisas laws on non-Muslims which is claimed totally unacceptable by MCA.

MCA - the second largest party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition - is flabbergasted by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz’s proposal to implement hudud and qisas laws, among other things in the country should the PAS-UMNO merger become a reality.

“I am disappointed and gravely concerned with Nik Aziz’s statement to implement hudud and qisas laws as it would mean the creation of a theocratic Islamic state.” said MCA Youth Secretary General YB Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong.

“PAS must bear in mind that Malaysia is a multiracial country, and we must always go back to the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land that enshrines the rights of every Malaysian citizen. I urge UMNO to object to PAS’ proposal as it is a matter of principle.” said YB Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong.

Under Islam, crimes classified under hudud such as murder, theft and adultery carry severe punishment including the amputation of limbs and stoning to death.

Meanwhile, qisas (law of retaliation) allows for, among others, compensation in the form of money or property if the heirs of the victim forgive the murderer.

Changing the five state governments of coalition Pakatan Rakyat?

A time bomb has been set in the three-party opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, with DAP openly declaring it now wants the alliance to review the membership of PAS in the coalition.

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said PAS had thrown grave doubts over its credibility and Pakatan Rakyat should seriously consider, in view of events of late, whether PAS should be allowed continued membership in the alliance.

“The assurance by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to Pakatan Rakyat partners, that PAS will not abandon the alliance to join the BN, is not bona fide and is not supported by past events.


“After the March 8 general elections, PAS had talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor. This was an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of such a move by PAS,” he said in a statement today.

Karpal also slammed the move by PAS to hold another round of talks with Umno “in the name of Malay unity”, calling this a “racial move” by PAS, which he claimed was incongruous with the policies of the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat, made up of DAP, PKR and PAS, rule five states, namely Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor. Any break-up in the coalition will result in change in the state governments of these states, except for Kelantan where PAS secures majority of the state seats.

Yesterday, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat suggested that UMNO and PAS be dissolved and a new party formed to unite all Malays.

“Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and consequences. Nik Aziz’s statement reduces to nought Hadi Awang’s statement in Ipoh, also yesterday, that PAS would not merge with Umno or join Barisan Nasional.

“Obviously, statements made by PAS leaders of late, give the perception that they are out to scuttle the Pakatan Rakyat,” said Karpal.

Stop the muzakarah, Nik Aziz tells PAS leaders

Political ideology is like a guarding light without which a political party, its leaders and the country roam and gropes in the dark.

Fundamentally, the political ideology of PAS and UMNO are conflicting as they are different from one another. These differences are natural as conflict is natural in human and particularly political relations.

Ironically, birds of the same feathers flock together, while those who share another set of views will come together at the other end of the continuum, thus Muzakarah (dialogue) between the PAS and UMNO, is claimed to be a good political strategy and agenda but it causes suspicion of the motive of UMNO.

Hence, the interesting question arises: Can the political parties resolve the ideological conflict and merge together?

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat wants the muzakarah (dialogue) between the party and UMNO to stop.

He said the party grassroots were unsettled with the dialogue.

He added that nothing was expected to materialize from such talks because both parties had different ideologies, namely one was an Islamist party while the other was based on nationalism.

Nik Aziz pointed out that the talks that UMNO president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had with three PAS decision-makers on the issue of Malays and Islam were of a personal nature rather than formal party-to-party discussions.

“It is really nothing. It is the media that played it up. I leave it to the party to decide the next course but we must admit that such things leave our grassroots, PKR and DAP unsettled,” he told a press conference.

Nik Aziz said this would be the last time he would comment on the dialogue. Asked when would be a good time for such a dialogue, he said probably after the general election in 2013 or much later.

He refused to say if PAS was now split in view of the differing versions from various leaders.

Nik Aziz warned that PAS should be careful not to be trapped by Umno, which was now weak and needed to create some form of diversion from the party’s internal issues.

“My wish is that soon UMNO would become the Opposition in the country. Those who want to can join PAS,” he said.

HASSAN ALI: MUSLIM DIDN’T GO OVERBOARD ON PIG ISSUE

Selangor PAS commissioner and state EXCO member Hassan Ali said, the Muslims didn’t go overboard on pig issue. “The protest that we saw I suppose was being orchestrated by Umno in particular.”

When, in an interview with Malaysiakini, he claims that Umno is the one who orchestrated the pig issue in particular.

Selangor state EXCO member Hassan Ali is the EXCO in charge of Islamic affairs, Malay customs, infrastructure and public amenities, who is also the Selangor PAS commissioner and Gombak Setia state representative.

Here is what we learned.

Malaysiakini: From your point of view, why are the Malay Muslims highly sensitive towards the issue of pig farming whenever it’s being brought up?

Hassan Ali: It’s not only about religion but a cultural factor as well. As far as religion is concerned, as a Muslim, we should be adopting the attitude of respecting each other. Other people also have got their needs. Islam respects the needs of other people professing different religions other than Islam. Therefore, if I were to be seen from that angle, I think I would be giving the opportunity to the non-Muslims as well. They need pork, they eat pork. So why don’t give them the opportunity to get pork, and apart from that, better facilities and amenities in pork production as well?

Secondly, as far as Islam is concerned, pig is forbidden. Our mufti has given a good explanation on that. Of course it is forbidden for the Muslim, but allowing other people to eat pork is not forbidden. To me, more or less, it is not only recommended, but also obligatory for the Muslim authority, like me here administering the state, to give the same good opportunity to the non-Muslims to enjoy whatever within the limitation of the broad moral and ethical character of this state.

But from what I see, the Muslims didn’t go overboard on this issue. The protest that we saw I suppose was being orchestrated by Umno in particular. So when we put to them that this was Umno’s project and the Umno people are getting directly involved in this project, now I think the problem of pig rearing is no longer a big issue. If Umno was to keep pushing on this, I think they are the ones who have to shoulder the brunt, rather than us.

NO WAYANG KULIT, POLITICAL WAR IS ON

The political move of PAS to gain over Terengganu? Opposition party PAS today fully supported the move by the Terengganu palace to appoint Kijal state representative Ahmad Said as the new Menteri Besar of the state seems trigger the political war between the palace and UMNO. Should any outcome, PAS still is the biggest winner.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang said he believed the decision by the palace was in accordance with the real wishes of the people of Terengganu. The move seems reflect the political ultimate motive as in the general election, Idris-led BN retained the state comfortably by winning 24 out of 32 state seats. PAS won the rest.

Incumbent Idris Jusoh was then given the assurance by the prime minister that he would be reappointed as the Menteri Besar. However Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu is not in favour of Idris and has chosen Ahmad to lead the state. Ahmad is believed to have the support of the grassroots Umno members and leaders.

Idris Jusoh commands majority support; the appointment of any other person to the post is claimed to be unconstitutional.

The clash can be seen as the symptomatic of the Prime Minister Abdullah's weakened position after the unprecedented election losses. The only way to solve the matter is respecting the institution of the constitutional monarchy by meeting the palace personally.

Nik Aziz : Umno members are orangutans

The PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat calling Umno members orangutans, is it proper to use the words orang utan in politics? The question remains but the PAS spiritual adviser has his explanation.

He said, sometimes one has to be a bit rough for the message to hit home. When someone does something wrong, we should be in the position to correct him. Sometimes he advises, sometimes he uses the rotan (cane). In this case, it is the rotan.

“Even the West uses the word 'animal' quite liberally. I am not even using the word ‘animal’. I am only using the word ‘orangutan’, which is not as bad."

Nik Aziz likened smokers to animals who did not think before hurting themselves. As party members who smoked did not fully understand Islam, as smoking was considered haram (forbidden) or makruh (allowed but not encouraged).