UMNO and the Royal Houses
I have always been against the usage of a show of force to enforce opinions, thought, ideas etc. In this context for example, I treat with sadness the approach taken by a group of Perkasa young men, demonstrating in front of the PKR office.
It was in effect a show of force, sadly unrestrained by the police nearby as they claimed to have received no instructions to intercede (sic). It also shows, those people who resorted to a show of force, have no reasonable answer to challenge Zaid’s essay.
Stating that Zaid is disloyal to the king is also hurting UMNO’s credibility because UMNO had also in the past clashed with the Royal Houses. UMNO’s confrontation with the Malaysian Monarchy then was more severe and intense leading to widespread belief, that Malaysia was going the Republic way. Some of those people calling for the emasculation of the monarchy are still around today in UMNO, projecting themselves as shameless paramours of democracy for the people. What they meant was power unto themselves.
Even in this instance, the thunder was stolen from present day UMNO because the group that is now standing and being counted as defender of the King is Perkasa. It’s led by the Pied Piper of Malaysian politics- one Ibrahim Ali. UMNO Selangor through its deputy head could only muster a feeble riposte by beseeching HRH Sultan not to receive Zaid. Why should the Sultan be dissuaded to see Zaid if HRH chooses to? The King is King to all his subjects- UMNO and non UMNO people. The King does not belong to UMNO.
I found one stupid trait among UMNO people as regards people not from the state but who have adopted their current state of domicile as their own. In Pekan for example where I come from, we have many Kelantanese voters who have stayed in Pahang for over 30 years. Whenever these people ask for land or assistance or facilities from the state, the UMNO people will always create a ruckus. Shamelessly, during elections, all UMNO people want are their votes ignoring and treating the state of origin of the voters as non issue. By his admission, Zaid says he has stayed in Selangor for over 30 years. On that basis, he is entitled to the same treatment and rights as Noh Omar who is a Selangorian and a ‘ fofesyional’. Zaid has as much right to see the King as Noh Omar has.
Needling Zaid on the royal house issue is counterproductive. First it will serve as opening up of old wounds inflicted on the royal houses by UMNO of 1988. Second, it exposes UMNO’s weakness in the mosque centered activities department- UMNO is weak when it comes to carrying out mosques and surau based activities. UMNO people want to be office bearers because of the power therein and the social standing the posts confer; but are insignificant when it comes to prospering the mosques. All this while, aren’t the mimbars and pulpits in the mosques employed to disseminate current issues of use and benefit to the government of the day? It’s a tit to UMNO’s tat. UMNO is now forced to answer this weakness by finding ways to enliven its own role in this department. Sermons by UMNO preachers are not endearing the devotees.
