Hadi Awang the President of Islamist Party
Unity Government: Academic Discussions?
The concept of unity government which had plagued Pas and People Alliance for some time was rendered to mere “academic discussions” by President PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi who made a turn-about on his controversial pro-unity government stand.
In contrast to the seriousness of the open criticism of Islamist Party (PAS) Spiritual Leader Nik Aziz that those who supported Abdul Hadi‘s proposal to form a unity government with UMNO/National Front were UMNO/NF puppets, the way Hadi wash his hands of the issue was so absurd and irresponsible.
Nik Aziz is Spiritual Leader Of Islamist Party
Rais Yatim, member of National Front Supreme Council came to Hadi’s help to criticize Nik Aziz as being exposing the true colours of most of the Malay leaders from the opposition who were not sincere in fighting for Islam as religion of harmony and unity, they simply pay lip-service with empty rhetoric.
Hadi Awang and his deputy Nasharudin Mat Isa were categorized as far-sighted leaders while others were just practicing populist politics. Their supports of the idea of unity government were praised as valuable measure taken by the respected statesmen. The Pupets images of those who had supported the idea were moulded by the champion propagandist of Umno himself.
Amidst the political and economic crises of our country, it was unthinkable that Pas’s President and his followers still were at leisure to take part in “academic discussions” which in fact might split Pas into two factions, one pro-unity government and the other against it.
Hadi shouldn’t forget so easily that on Jun 6, he had reiterated his confidence that the concept to form a unity government mooted by him would not demise as such, and time would come that his proposal would be accepted by the leadership of Pas and fraternal parties in People Alliance alike. This statement was surely not academic rhetoric but declaration of one’s firm political belief.
After being vehemently objected inside and outside the party, Hadi now started to set preconditions that before dialogue began, Umno should first reform our democracy, judicial and media systems. His pretentious posture failed to cover up his insincerity and irresponsibility. As leader of People Alliance who dares to suggest formation of unity government, he must also be brave enough to accept criticisms and correct his mistake accordingly.
Besides, he also admitted that the suggestion of unity government was not thoroughly discussed in Pas, and yet to be accepted as a proposal of People Alliance. In fact, unity government issue had split the candidates of party election into two camps, one pro and another anti-unity government. The anti-unity government camp in fact had won majority seats for vice Presidents and members of Supreme Council, except in deputy President election, where Husam Musa and Mat Sabu were defeated by Nasharudin Mat Isa because the votes against unity government were split between the two, Nasharudin might be defeated if it was a one-to-one fight.
If the proposal was not thoroughly discussed, why need to promote it in such a great hurry even under the pressure of objection from majority of the leadership and grass-root members? And if it was not yet a proposal of Pakatan Rakyat, why should Hadi claim that PKR and DAP had supported the idea? Only when the parties concerned denied his claim and sought further clarification, did he change his approach on the idea. As a religious leader, why couldn’t Hadi be more transparent, consistent and trustworthy?
Hadi Awang might try to wash his hands of the unity government issue, but obviously the damages had been done, inter alia:-
1. Since proposal to form a unity government with Umno was an importance policy swift which would affect political directions of Pas, People Alliance and the interests of the people as a whole, to initiate unity talks unilaterally by Hadi Awang and his followers without thorough discussions within Pas and consent by People Alliance, obviously due democratic process in policy formulation was not followed.
2. To begin unity talks between PAS-Umno without prior consent of PKR and DAP could be interpreted in a negative sense that Pas was prepared to quit People Alliance and cross over to National Front, or it might cause suspicions from the leaderships of PAS and People Alliance, or even their ordinary members and supporters that it might involve personal interests or ambitions, or worse still, as labeled by Spiritual Leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat that they were playing the parts of “UMNO /Pupets”.
3. The objective of the unity government as projected in the main stream media especially Utusan Malaysia, was to forge Malay / Muslim unity. The perception was that Pas had closed ranks with UMNO/BN racist policy based on Malay supremacy , now it had become Malay/Islam supremacy which was more scaring.
4. Votes given to Pas in the 12th General Election and by-elections that followed, especially from voters of Non-Malays in fact were against UMNO/National Front government. Thus, Pas had no mandate to hold unity talks with Umno to form unity government of any kind. I believe even Malay voters including Pas members and supporters also could not agree to the formation of unity government to save Umno from eventual collapse.
5. Beside unity government proposed by Pas President, over stressing on the ulamas’ leadership aimed at marginalizing the professionals, and motion from Shah Alam Pas calling government to ban Sisters In Islam adopted by the General Assembly without debate gave an impression that Pas had returned to a more conservative, exclusive and intolerant position. If Pas are not able to clear up such negative perceptions, the supports gained by it after political tsunami of March 8 and the following by-elections may be affected as a result.
6. The 55th General Assembly of Pas was a turning point for political enemy of Pas, especially MCA and Gerakan to gain access to a good opportunity to launch an anti-PAS offensive propaganda, in fact they were suffering from low morale and remained defensive all the while after March 8 political tsunami. And there were political analysts who used to sympathize with People Alliance now opined that non-Malays had been deceived by Pas.
I totally agree with Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, member of Pas Central Working Committee, that it was paramount important to make strategic choice. For example, instead of three cornered, it was a one-to-one fight between Nasharudin Mat Isa and either Husam Musa or Mat Sabu, the outcome might be different. And how good it could be, instead of being embroiled in ulama-professional polemic and unity government controversy, all human resources were put together to draw up a master plan on the strategy of Pas to replace Umno as first choice of the Malay-Islam voters as
Hadi Awang and his deputy Nasharudin Mat Isa were categorized as far-sighted leaders while others were just practicing populist politics. Their supports of the idea of unity government were praised as valuable measure taken by the respected statesmen. The Pupets images of those who had supported the idea were moulded by the champion propagandist of Umno himself.
Amidst the political and economic crises of our country, it was unthinkable that Pas’s President and his followers still were at leisure to take part in “academic discussions” which in fact might split Pas into two factions, one pro-unity government and the other against it.
Hadi shouldn’t forget so easily that on Jun 6, he had reiterated his confidence that the concept to form a unity government mooted by him would not demise as such, and time would come that his proposal would be accepted by the leadership of Pas and fraternal parties in People Alliance alike. This statement was surely not academic rhetoric but declaration of one’s firm political belief.
After being vehemently objected inside and outside the party, Hadi now started to set preconditions that before dialogue began, Umno should first reform our democracy, judicial and media systems. His pretentious posture failed to cover up his insincerity and irresponsibility. As leader of People Alliance who dares to suggest formation of unity government, he must also be brave enough to accept criticisms and correct his mistake accordingly.
Besides, he also admitted that the suggestion of unity government was not thoroughly discussed in Pas, and yet to be accepted as a proposal of People Alliance. In fact, unity government issue had split the candidates of party election into two camps, one pro and another anti-unity government. The anti-unity government camp in fact had won majority seats for vice Presidents and members of Supreme Council, except in deputy President election, where Husam Musa and Mat Sabu were defeated by Nasharudin Mat Isa because the votes against unity government were split between the two, Nasharudin might be defeated if it was a one-to-one fight.
If the proposal was not thoroughly discussed, why need to promote it in such a great hurry even under the pressure of objection from majority of the leadership and grass-root members? And if it was not yet a proposal of Pakatan Rakyat, why should Hadi claim that PKR and DAP had supported the idea? Only when the parties concerned denied his claim and sought further clarification, did he change his approach on the idea. As a religious leader, why couldn’t Hadi be more transparent, consistent and trustworthy?
Hadi Awang might try to wash his hands of the unity government issue, but obviously the damages had been done, inter alia:-
1. Since proposal to form a unity government with Umno was an importance policy swift which would affect political directions of Pas, People Alliance and the interests of the people as a whole, to initiate unity talks unilaterally by Hadi Awang and his followers without thorough discussions within Pas and consent by People Alliance, obviously due democratic process in policy formulation was not followed.
2. To begin unity talks between PAS-Umno without prior consent of PKR and DAP could be interpreted in a negative sense that Pas was prepared to quit People Alliance and cross over to National Front, or it might cause suspicions from the leaderships of PAS and People Alliance, or even their ordinary members and supporters that it might involve personal interests or ambitions, or worse still, as labeled by Spiritual Leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat that they were playing the parts of “UMNO /Pupets”.
3. The objective of the unity government as projected in the main stream media especially Utusan Malaysia, was to forge Malay / Muslim unity. The perception was that Pas had closed ranks with UMNO/BN racist policy based on Malay supremacy , now it had become Malay/Islam supremacy which was more scaring.
4. Votes given to Pas in the 12th General Election and by-elections that followed, especially from voters of Non-Malays in fact were against UMNO/National Front government. Thus, Pas had no mandate to hold unity talks with Umno to form unity government of any kind. I believe even Malay voters including Pas members and supporters also could not agree to the formation of unity government to save Umno from eventual collapse.
5. Beside unity government proposed by Pas President, over stressing on the ulamas’ leadership aimed at marginalizing the professionals, and motion from Shah Alam Pas calling government to ban Sisters In Islam adopted by the General Assembly without debate gave an impression that Pas had returned to a more conservative, exclusive and intolerant position. If Pas are not able to clear up such negative perceptions, the supports gained by it after political tsunami of March 8 and the following by-elections may be affected as a result.
6. The 55th General Assembly of Pas was a turning point for political enemy of Pas, especially MCA and Gerakan to gain access to a good opportunity to launch an anti-PAS offensive propaganda, in fact they were suffering from low morale and remained defensive all the while after March 8 political tsunami. And there were political analysts who used to sympathize with People Alliance now opined that non-Malays had been deceived by Pas.
I totally agree with Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, member of Pas Central Working Committee, that it was paramount important to make strategic choice. For example, instead of three cornered, it was a one-to-one fight between Nasharudin Mat Isa and either Husam Musa or Mat Sabu, the outcome might be different. And how good it could be, instead of being embroiled in ulama-professional polemic and unity government controversy, all human resources were put together to draw up a master plan on the strategy of Pas to replace Umno as first choice of the Malay-Islam voters as
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