The question of ‘unity government’

MARCH 18 — khalid samad - malaysianinsider

We were recently surprised by the proposal of Pas’ president published by The Malaysian Insider. Our president mooted the idea of a “Unity Government”. As the concept of “Unity Government” is a new concept, many are still confused by what it is. Many look upon it as a proposal for the coalition between Pas and Umno or Pas with BN.

What I understand by the proposal is a ‘unity government’ formed by a coalition between BN and PR. This coalition makes both parties have an equal footing in government while doing away with an ‘official’ opposition for the time being.

With this, escalated political conflict can be avoided and everyone can settle down to focus on the question of handling and overcoming the impending economic crisis.

This proposal was put forward due to the escalating political conflict and the impending economic crisis. Our president worries that the present political turmoil escalation involving PR and BN will increase tensions to dangerous levels and risk going completely out of control.

Race politics and the growing tendency of the government to flex its muscles, be it the police, SPRM or the courts, will lead to a continuous and unending conflict while the economic crisis will be left unattended to. In such a situation, not only the political parties, but also the rakyat as a whole, will stand to lose.

The concept of “Unity Government” therefore necessitates the sharing of power by the BN at the federal level in particular. Each ministry must be administered jointly and policies are to be decided on by consensus. It is not a situation wherein PR sits quietly under the leadership of the BN but is at par with the BN as an equal partner. The component parties of PR do not leave and join BN but it is PR which forms a coalition with the BN.

For this proposal to work, all parties must put the interest of the nation before the party or that of personal interest. It is basically a good proposal, if the above condition can be met. Unfortunately BN is not cognisant of any other form of politics besides that of corruption and misuse of power. It is very difficult for me to envisage the BN being able to uplift itself from their current form of politics and thereby agreeing to this proposal. The current political crisis is of no worry to them as they are its architect.

They will not accept this power sharing proposal as they believe they can still hang on to complete power on their own. Why do they need to share if they can do it alone? Secondly, they have never shown any ability to put national and the general population’s interest before their own and that of their party’s.

Their fervent desire to hold on to power will cause irreversible damage to the nation, for staying in power is all that matters to them.

Thirdly, they are also fully aware that if they allow PR into the corridors of Federal power, by sharing power with them, PR will only increase its influence amongst the people at large and achieve greater acceptance. The rakyat will be exposed to PR’s capability and the BN will slowly but surely lose power. Such a step would therefore be akin to putting the noose around their own necks.

So, although the idea is the ideal solution for the Nation, whereby we can avoid the political conflict which can be self-consuming, leading to the destruction of all we have achieved thus far, the Malay proverb states, “Bertepuk sebelah tangan tidak berbunyi” (or it takes two to tango). Nonetheless we can propose, then wait and see. Who knows, maybe they too have become completely exasperated with the current political developments and will throw out those leaders who put personal interest before all else. Without these leaders at its helm, BN may see the interest of the nation first.

They may even realise that for the sake of the nation, they should make way for the PR, albeit step by step.

Until such a situation develops, we proceed with our current efforts. Fold up our sleeves and dig in, focus on the work of defeating the BN at all levels. Starting with Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, then onwards to Batang Ai.