Divided PAS spells trouble for Pakatan
PAS has been ‘penetrated’ by elements with ‘foreign’ ideologies while its only ‘national’ policy is the implementation of hudud in Malaysia.
Which ever way Pakatan is heading, there is one obvious element: the loose coalition is experiencing the hardships of building and creating a true “rainbow” union. And this is probably due to the resistance within the Pakatan coalition itself, while the Barisan National hard-hitting “pro-Malay” campaigns could be an added disincentive.
Ali Cordoba, FMT
Is PAS in a riddle? Or has it turned into a “maze-runner”, lost in a battlefield where survival is only for the fittest?
The fact remains that rise of the “extremist” voices within PAS is a negative element for Pakatan Rakyat.
These are only two of the major woes of the Pakatan opposition, which is on a historic march to conquer Putrajaya. However, this path is rigged with troubles, which Pakatan is expected to quash well before the next general election.
Which ever way Pakatan is heading, there is one obvious element: the loose coalition is experiencing the hardships of building and creating a true “rainbow” union. And this is probably due to the resistance within the Pakatan coalition itself, while the Barisan National hard-hitting “pro-Malay” campaigns could be an added disincentive.
The hardships faced by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to build a “rainbow” coalition will surely haunt the new regime in Putrajaya, but once victory is achieved, it is certain Pakatan will overcome these woes and impose itself.
While the division within PAS reflects the division among the Malay-Muslim majority in Malaysia, the DAP is enjoying the support of a large majority of the Chinese community. This is creating an imbalance that has given more room to the BN to feel cozy in its “Malay First” diatribes.
And this is a significant observation since Pakatan needs a majority of the Malay community to win the 13th general election, but it has an agenda that does not satisfy half of PAS.
And by extension this agenda does not satisfy a section of the Malays altogether, but it has cemented the second largest community’s – the Chinese community – support for Pakatan.
A divided PAS
PAS today is an embarrassment with the divided leadership and this shows how PAS is a divided party from the top to its grassroots level. The division within the PAS reflects a “maligned” situation that clashes with the agenda set by Pakatan, that is, a fair, just and equitable Malaysia.
Does PAS really have to bring the support of the “extreme” right Malays to impose its views in Pakatan or is the party going to be more comfortable within the BN, divided as it is?
It is clear that PAS is plagued by the fact that it is a “state-based party” (jaguh kampung) with a largely divided leadership on both political and religious issues. PAS has also been “penetrated” by elements with “foreign” ideologies while its only “national” policy is the implementation of Islamic laws in Malaysia.
Its clashes with Pakatan’s agenda for concrete changes in Malaysia can be a turn-off to a fringe of the “non-Muslim” voters if the issue is pressed upon by the “divided” PAS leadership.
It is clear at this stage that the Pakatan leadership does not want to get involved in the morass created by the “Malay” supremacy claims, which is apparently getting some support from pro-Umno PAS leaders.
Would it be to Pakatan’s advantage to deal a direct blow to the group of “ultras” within its ranks? Or should Pakatan wait until the election is over to impose its will?
The fear of losing may have bogged down the Pakatan leadership in its decision-making process, with regard to the sensitivity of Malay-Muslim voters. This hesitation to decide on the “ultras” will have a negative effect on Pakatan.
It will cause a large number of the voters on the fence to either decide to continue voting for the BN or to abstain in the election.
PAS will have to take the blame for this failure to win the hearts and minds of the fence-sitters. The vote bank of the fence-sitting Malaysians will be crucial to win more seats for Pakatan and defeat the BN.
It will be a double jeopardy to Pakatan in the end since a divided PAS leadership, giving the wrong signal to the population, is not the only problem it is facing while a hesitant Pakatan will not convince the undecided voters.
