Live with it, Hadi; Pakatan is dead
It’s time for a new start for all three parties, and they might even emerge stronger.
Scott Ng, Free Malaysia Today
Pakatan Rakyat was like a dream. Malaysia’s three largest opposition parties put aside their differences to aim for a common goal, facing a monolithic administration with the power of the law and the media at its disposal, leading the disgruntled masses on a march towards Putrajaya. But as we all know, that dream was dashed against the rocks time and time again. The downfall of the coalition was caused by the very ambition that fuels virtually all political movements.
After months of strife between PAS and the other two parties of the alliance, DAP had had enough, and announced the end of the opposition coalition, with PKR reluctantly acknowledging that the era of Pakatan Rakyat was over. Despite that, PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang seems to think that because he says so, Pakatan is still an entity, that he is the one to decide when to call it a day.
Normally, the reaction to Hadi’s claims would be outrage or amusement. It is all too easy to rage at the Islamist leader whose ambition and grudge created the tension that split Pakatan apart, whose constant flirtation with Umno instilled suspicion in his partners, whose grab for power nearly lost Selangor, whose party decided to cut all ties with DAP. In fact, PAS effectively dissolved Pakatan Rakyat the moment it passed a resolution to end all ties with DAP.
Pakatan Rakyat was a coalition of three parties. Without one of the components, it essentially does not exist as each party has symbiotic ties to the other two, given that they each appeal to very separate segments of society. Did Hadi imagine he could pass messages through PKR without dealing with DAP? No, this is not a quarrel between two schoolboys who pass peacemaking notes through a mutual friend.
Yes, Hadi has only himself to blame.
The real question is why does he insist on clinging to the branding of Pakatan Rakyat. PAS has strengthened its appeal in the Malay heartland, and will still hold a chunk of power come the next general election. In fact, as removed as we urbanites are from the rural heartland of Malaysia, we could very well be misreading the situation and ignoring the possibility that PAS will be strong indeed for GE14, thanks to the conservative electorate.
