Unity Talk – A Diversion
Khoo Kay Peng
It cannot be denied that the PAS-UMNO unity talk has created a clever diversion from other more serious socio-political and economic issues faced by the ruling regime.
A number of people have sounded a cautious pessimism of such talk and its benefit to the nation.
If the talk were to lead to a new political entity between PAS-UMNO, the outcome will change the face of Malaysian politics causing the deepest racial division since independence. Unlike the 1973 alliance between Alliance and other major opposition parties including PAS, this unity talk is far more specific focusing merely on Malay unity rather than national unity.
Several political parties from both coalitions have responded to the idea. MCA said it is prepared to talk to any parties including its arch rival DAP. Meanwhile, the top leadership of DAP has blasted the unity talk proposal and demanded an explanation from PAS president Hadi Awang.
