More Islamic than PAS
Umno has four years to sort out the Allah word ‘mess’ — if you can even consider it a mess in the first place. And four years is a long time. Much can be achieved in four years. In four years Umno can strengthen its Islamic credentials while at the same time make concessions to the Christians in East Malaysia. And East Malaysians are not really that hard to please. All the government needs to do is to spend some money to build new churches (or upgrade the old churches) and the East Malaysian Christians will be as pleased as punch.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
(Malaysian Times, 21 Oct 2013) – State Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has instructed all 14 new and re-elected Umno divisional heads in Kelantan to appoint more experts into their religious bureaus to boost the values of the party.
Mustapa said the move is important as the religious bureau plays an integral role in every division.
“It is compulsory that all divisions, especially those with a small number of religious scholars, to adhere to the directive,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
“From now on, all the division heads, including the two newly-elected chiefs, have been directed to follow the directive.”
”Before it is implemented, we must first look at the number of religious experts in the divisions.”
Mustapa, who was returned unopposed as Jeli Umno chief, said the adoption of the rule would also uphold the sovereignty of the nation.
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Yes, as I said earlier, Umno is going to soon become more Islamic than PAS. That would be the only way for Umno to grab the Malay votes back from the opposition and win the next general election around 2018 or so.
There are no two ways about it. Umno has to be more Malay, more Islamic, and more royalist than the opposition if it wants to win the 3Rs contest (race, religion, royalty).
And trust me, Umno will win because Umno is not afraid of being more Malay, more Islamic and more royalist than the opposition. Umno is not afraid of being called a racist or a religious bigot just to win the 3Rs contest. And Zaid Ibrahim said it correctly in his statement today – “Anwar’s ‘Islam and democracy’ strategy superficial” (READ HERE).
And also note that Brunei is implementing the Islamic laws of Hudud (READ HERE) while even some Malay DAP leaders support Islamic laws (READ HERE).
So do you really think the Allah issue is about religion? It is about politics. And why do you think the Malaysian government is prepared to implement a one-nation-two-system policy (just like China regarding Hong Kong) in appeasing the Christians of East Malaysia while at the same time appeasing the Malays of West Malaysia (which is the support base for Umno).
All I can say is: brilliant! And the next general election is going to prove how brilliant Umno is. They have been at this game for so long that they have fine-tuned Malay politics into an art form. And Anwar Ibrahim is being left like a cockroach sprayed with Shelltox — running around in a daze.
What does Anwar want to be? Does he want to be an Islamist or a liberal? You cannot be both. Islam is not liberal and liberalism means you have to defy Islam. So which is it going to be?
Umno, especially in PAS’s stronghold in Kelantan, is looking for leaders who are more Islamic than the PAS leaders. They are already more Malay than the Malay leaders in Pakatan Rakyat and more royalist as well in their defense of the Monarchy (while the opposition is perceived as Republicans).
So, if Umno can be seen as more Islamic than PAS, then that completes the 3R formula and Pakatan Rakyat will be a party for non-Malays and non-Muslims. And that would mean Umno could very well form the government with just East Malaysia and even without the non-Malay seats in West Malaysia.
PAS will now have to up the ante. PAS will have to now issue statements supporting the Brunei move to implement Islamic laws in that country as well as the statement by the Malay DAP leader saying that he supports Islamic laws.
And if Karpal Singh whacks this DAP leader because his statement goes against the party stand — and worse, if disciplinary action is taken against him for ‘breaking ranks’ and for not ‘toeing the party line’ — then PAS will be forced to say something. If PAS keeps quiet it will be seen as being opposed to Islamic laws. However, would they dare take a stand and risk the wrath of DAP?
This is what I call stuck between a rock and a hard place or, as the Malays would say, ‘telan mati mak, ludah mati bapak’ (damned if you do and damned if you don’t).
Umno has four years to sort out the Allah word ‘mess’ — if you can even consider it a mess in the first place. And four years is a long time. Much can be achieved in four years. In four years Umno can strengthen its Islamic credentials while at the same time make concessions to the Christians in East Malaysia. And East Malaysians are not really that hard to please. All the government needs to do is to spend some money to build new churches (or upgrade the old churches) and the East Malaysian Christians will be as pleased as punch.
Money talks, bullshit walks. And the government has enough money to spread around amongst the East Malaysian Christians. RM100 million or RM200 million is good enough. And RM100 million or RM200 million is peanuts to Umno. It is what the Umno Sabah leaders jointly spend in the casinos in a year.
Yes, in West Malaysia, Umno will become more ‘holy’. In East Malaysia, Umno will become Santa Claus and shout ‘ho, ho, ho and a merry Christmas’ while Pakatan Rakyat dreams of taking over and Anwar dreams of becoming the next Prime Minister.
But then I might be wrong. But would you dare put your money on the possibility that I am wrong? Bets are now open and will close on Nomination Day of the next general election.
Phew, I feel rich already.
