Should PAS run in Permatang Pauh?
It is almost like it is so unsure of itself, that at the risk of making a blunder, it plays it safe by surrendering to do the politically acceptable, even though it has been mocked and humiliated by its own partners.
Umar Mukhtar
The interesting thing about by-elections such as the one to be held in Permatang Pauh is that it does not decide a change of governments and political adventurism by competing parties is tolerated. Voters are not encumbered by fear of casting the ‘wrong’ vote and are therefore free to make a statement about whatever to whomever, including to their own party.
This is also because political parties use the results to gauge whether they have politically popular policies for the next general election. During a time when issues are abundant like presently, Permatang Pauh is a golden opportunity for political parties to explain their stands on issues of the day. If they participate, that is.
The Barisan Nasional will use this platform to explain why and how it imposes the unpopular 6% Goods and Services Tax, and also Anwar’s incarceration. But it may not unequivocally talk about Hudud because of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s typically cowardly silence on the matter. He may have to clear the air now. The Najib-Mahathir feud may also feature in some ways with Najib-haters boycotting the elections or even voting for the opponent.
PKR will claim by its expected victory, just how the voters think that Anwar Ibrahim was victimised. Its anti-Hudud stand, which voters know is a typical PKR politically convenient choice, will attract all of the Non-Muslim votes plus some. The anti-Hudud Muslim votes will be split up with the BN. In the absence of politically-defined issues, Anwar-centric rhetoric will remain PKR’s beef.
PAS, on the other hand, may remain bridesmaid of the third kind. To request PKR to withdraw its stand on Hudud is immature politics unless it is a prelude to getting into the ring themselves. The demand by the Permatang Pauh PAS Division is in itself a “we-do-not-support-PKR” declaration.
PR’s artificial formula of seat-division stifled the growth of pact participants. The members are restless. Furthermore, Pakatan Rakyat is not a coalition, otherwise how could Sarawak DAP choose to kick out PAS? PR only set up coalition governments where it is the majority after the elections.
PAS has more going for it than the coming Rompin by-election where their best aim may just be a reduced BN majority. So they may fight outside the ring in Permatang Pauh by boycotting the by-election and whispering in the mosquito nets. What a macho way to fight!!
Its supporters in Permatang Pauh are almost as many as PKR’s and in fact PAS used to run there. PAS will get almost all of the pro-Hudud votes, though none of the minority non-Muslim votes.
What about the anti-GST and anti-Najib votes? PAS will share them with PKR. An empirically guided campaign should not be beyond PAS’ abilities. It is not ‘gelojoh’, it is ‘berani kerana benar’ according to PAS supporters raring for a fight.
There’s no point discussing MCA, Gerakan and MIC. Eunuchs don’t count. DAP carries non-Malay hopes. Period. How many more elections for UMNO to accept this reality? Days of moderation as a camouflage for corruption are long gone.
Of course, the overriding fear is the splitting opposition votes. Like in Selangor state-seat Kota Damansara in PRU13, BN may win the three-cornered fight because of that. Is PAS’ love of The Pakatan Rakyat pact greater than putting forth its own fundamental policy?
Even if PAS loses, it can at least put PKR in their place with their misplaced cockiness. Or is it so unsure of its own PasMa-PAS internal rivalry that it may be quite influential as to frustrate Pas’ desires?
PAS itself will never know because it has not the balls to try to find out until it is too late. It is almost like it is so unsure of itself, that at the risk of making a blunder, it plays it safe by surrendering to do the politically acceptable thing, even though it has been mocked and humiliated by its own partners. They don’t play it safe at PAS’ expense!
If that is the case, a skirt should replace the full moon and PAS should wait for the bridal bouquet to fall from the sky.
“Tis better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all.”
