JULY 18 — I interviewed Lim Kit Siang in 2009, a year after the March 8 political tsunami. It was also the first anniversary of the formation of Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which was plagued by internal woes at that time as DAP was greatly troubled by PAS’s Islamic state concept.
On the Islamic state issue, Lim claimed that even if PR was the ruling coalition, creating an Islamic country was still impossible because without the support of both DAP and PKR, PAS would not be able to garner two-thirds of parliamentary support that enabled the creation of an Islamic nation through a constitutional amendment.
I recently interviewed Mustafa Ali, the secretary-general of PAS who had the same view. He said although PAS was taking a firm stand regarding the issue, the party respected the religions of various races and Islamic regulations would not be forcibly imposed on non-Muslims.
He added, after the many run-ins that PAS and DAP previously had, they have now struck an understanding on this issue. Though both parties are firm on their principles, they understand and respect each other’s positions.
Soon after the interview, a PAS general assembly took place and the party replaced the concept of an Islamic state with a “welfare state” in a bid to ease the worry of non-Muslims who appeared uncomfortable with the proposed formation of an Islamic nation. In addition, the party’s new leadership had been described as trending towards a “liberal” and moderate approach.
Since the political tsunami, the co-operations within the PR component parties have become increasingly mature, with the coalition also seeing a steadier stream of supporters. The people’s anticipation for the transformation of the nation’s political landscape, as well as their fading patience towards the stagnating transformation of ruling parties, have resulted in the people having greater expectations for PR. They hope for a strong two-party system and the exercise of checks and balances on Barisan Nasional (BN).
With the people disappointed at the current political situation and longing for a change, BN and MCA simply fail to generate any effects no matter how they play the Islamic state issue.
The “unpredictability of the people” is favourable to the opposition parties politically. At least, BN’s monopoly in the past 50 years has come to an end, handing the opposition front an opportunity for a breakthrough in this ever-changing environment.
However, every time when the people feel assured that PR has come good, PAS tends to create unease by taking certain approaches. As a result, BN component parties like MCA have the chance to strike back at PR.
For instance, PR was accused by its rival of failing to respect the rights of non-Muslims by bringing up the issue of gambling ban in Kelantan.
In addition, the decision of PAS-led Kedah government to disallow the renewal of entertainment licences throughout Ramadan has not only created unease among the people, but it also gives BN a good opportunity to attack PR.
Though PR keeps assuring the people that Malaysia will not become an Islamic state should it take control of the government, the Islamic measures introduced from time to time by PR-ruled states have shown PAS’s lack of sensitivity towards the feelings of non-Muslims.
Other component parties of PR also slip into trouble because of PAS’s certain Islamic measures. They are condemned by non-Muslim voters and rival parties whenever the issues are called into question. — mysinchew.com
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
