GEORGE TOWN – The concept of a Malay unity movement is in limbo following the move by PAS to team up with Perikatan Nasional (PN) instead of Umno in the upcoming Melaka state election.
It now remains to be seen how PAS and Umno, who are the primary forces behind the Malay unity movement, can reconcile.
Prof Sivamurugan Pandian of University Sains Malaysia said that PAS has clearly shown that it is more comfortable dealing with the PN coalition, rather than with Umno, whose top leadership is devoid of any cabinet positions for now.
“I think PAS is comfortable dealing with parties in government.
“It remains to be seen if PAS will remain entrenched with PN or continue to pursue its Muafakat Nasional partnership with Umno – the bedrock of Malay unity symbolism for contests other than Melaka,” he told The Vibes.
The Muafakat alliance secured a string of victories from 2019 before the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government fell in February last year after several of its members defected to help form the present PN government.
Sivamurugan said that the move is also historic with PAS ceasing to use its logo for the first time since the party began contesting in the election.
“The use of a logo is important especially if the contesting field is crowded.”
Sivamurugan said that the proposition of three blocs breaking out to contest in the next general election may happen with Melaka as a preview of it, and to a lesser degree of what may transpire in the Sarawak election.
The three are PN, led by Bersatu; Barisan Nasional, led by Umno; and PH, led by PKR.
Meanwhile, PAS elections director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said in recent interviews that PAS will always play an important role in Malay unity as this is something which the community has demanded of late.
“PAS always places importance on the Malay-Muslim unity concept as this is what political leaders and the community want now.”
He said that for centuries the community has become victims of the divide and rule by the colonial powers, starting with the fall of Melaka in 1511, and now is the time to correct such imbalances.
“There is no point winning an election if the community remains divided,” said Sanusi. – The Vibes, November 3, 2021
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