Pakatan’s stand on religious issues is a smart move, say political analysts
Jayum, however, added that it would be beneficial for PR to come up with a broad policy on religion, so that they don’t contradict each other later and save them the ordeal of having to repeatedly make statements on the same issues that keep cropping up over and over again.
Jennifer Gomez, The Malaysian Insider
With the many religious controversies taking place in the country now, political analysts described the stand taken by Pakatan Rakyat in reacting, rather than taking pro-active measures, as “smart”.
They felt that by reacting to the issues, rather than coming out with a clear policy on religious issues, PR lawmakers have avoided walking into a Barisan Nasional trap.
Recently, the opposition lawmakers have been very vocal on the controversial Allah ruling, the slaughter of cows in schools and the demolition of the 101-year-old Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman Hindu temple in the city centre.
Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng, in dubbing it a “honeymoon period” for PR, explained there was no need for the opposition coalition to make a clear stand on religious issues.
“The main strategy for Pakatan now is not to make a stand on issues that touch on grey areas, especially religion, to avoid getting attacked by Umno.
“They have avoided this all along and it is clearly working,” he said.
Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Professor Dr Jayum Jawan agreed, adding that PR was playing “good politics”.
He said that rather than come up with a stand for which they are bound to be attacked by their political opponents, this was a safer approach.
“Commenting on issues is better than coming up with a stand. They are also trying to avoid being attacked by their opponents, so they are playing good politics and this is expected of a political party,” he explained.
Jayum, however, added that it would be beneficial for PR to come up with a broad policy on religion, so that they don’t contradict each other later and save them the ordeal of having to repeatedly make statements on the same issues that keep cropping up over and over again.
“This way, the public would also be able to see that they are a united front.”
But Khoo felt that PR could continue operating with their present strategy, given that there are no demands from the rakyat for them to make a stand.
“Pakatan is issue-centric, where they react to controversies created by BN, especially Umno. This is why they are popular.
“They are riding on this wave of harping on Umno’s mistakes and flip-flops and it is clearly working,” he said, adding that PR was benefitting from the perception and anger of the people towards BN by capitalising on Putrajaya’s mistakes.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president N. Surendran agreed, pointing out that as long as PR did not hold federal power, its role was to pressure the government to change their conduct.
Surendran also said that the role of the opposition in Malaysia was “highly important” as it had to deal with a “highly corrupt and oppressive government”.
According to Khoo, another reason why PR avoided making a stand on religious issues was because what works for one party may not go down well with another in the opposition pact.
“The Allah ruling is an easy one for them. But when it comes to Islamic state and implementing syariah laws or even local council guidelines for businesses in Kelantan, for example, it would be tough for them to agree,” he pointed out.
He added that the only time PR would need to make a clear stand on religious issues is when they control Putrajaya.
