The "UMNO-isation" of PAS

This morning I couldn't sleep, I mourned the loss of a historic opportunity for Malaysia to become more inclusive and forward looking. It could have been a watershed muktamar ushering in a new Pakatan government in the 13th GE but PAS leadership and members missed this opportunity. Instead the party elected more ulama and turned conservative, defending and offering a unity government with UMNO for the sake of race and religion. This rallying cry is almost indistinguishable from UMNO's ketuanan Melayu. It suddenly came to me, somehow and thru' some mysterious method the "UMNO-isation of PAS" is taking place. Despite the massive support of non Malays to put PAS reps in racially mixed seats, PAS leaders are ignoring this reality and trying to outUMNO UMNO in racial bigotry. Calling for Unity government, reserving no1 and 2 postions for Ulama without contests,the flip flop position on the NEP, calling for alcohol ban in Selangor etc etc , all these reek of UMNO. PAS leaders do not understand the urban and suburban electorate, Malay and non Malay, labouring under heavy tolls, taxes and high cost of living are sick to death of UMNO and can see thru' the Ketuanan rethoric as cynical bigoted attempt to get votes without really heeding the electorates feedback to reform.

Under these circumstance I ask myself why wont PAS project a more inclusive and confident face to capture Federal Government in the 13th GE. Are they trying to lose the newly gained support of the non Malays? The only possible explanation perhaps is that PAS even though they are the biggest party in the PR coalition in terms of membership and commitment, they have the least number of MPs. While PKR and DAP are deriving the most benefit from the awakening of the urban and suburban electorate to the abuse and corruption of the present government, PAS is allocated mostly rural seats where the rallying cry of Ketuanan Melayu still carry some weight. PAS cannot be seen to deviate too far from this if it were to be competitive in Malay predominant rural seats. I was made to understand that over 90 seats in Peninsular Malaysia has 30% or more non Malay voters. Based on current trend BN looks like they will lose in every on of them. It will be interesting to see how many of this type of seats is allocated for PAS to contest.

It may well be that with this direction PAS has taken we will not see a PR federal government by 2013 but more likely Malaysia has to suffer another 5 years until 2018. The UMNOisation of PAS will in one stroke of the pen undone all the good work of the last 12 months when Malays and non Malays stood side by side to defeat BN. Non UMNO BN parties have been left for dead because they are not able to mitigate the abuse and arrogance of UMNO. With the UMNOisation of PAS these parties are now given a lifeline. I would think they will be celebrating the direction PAS has taken. It may well be just as well for this to happen as going on the uneven and suspect quality of PKR and DAP reps eg Jelapang and Penanti, PR may not be ready to govern despite the experience of Anwar. Best left unsaid.

I would have thought the one thing PR should do is the behind the scenes work in the rural areas to explain its position, discuss current issues and massive voter registration exercise to recruit young voters. At the same time showing good governance in the present PR states. This kind of hack work is tough but PAS is normally known for doing it. I wonder if Hadi has lost his appetite for this kind of tough grind, having once tasted power as single term MB in Trengganu, and is in a hurry to enjoy the perks of government even if in a unity government with UMNO.

Hidup Melayu, Hidup UMNO don't know about PAS hidup or ...........................