Nazri now denies DAP invite, but talk of a 'unity' govt is starting to buzz

As expected, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz has denied inviting the DAP to join Barisan Nasionat to replace the MCA. Many obesrvers had said his comments were meant as a trial balloon and his denial was to save face after both DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ridiculed his proposal.

"We are surprised, it came out of the blue. Whatever is the motivation, you will have to ask Datuk Nazri but as far as we are concerned, we stand by our allies in the Pakatan," Guan Eng, the DAP secretary-general, told a press conference in Penang on Monday.

Nazri was reported by Sin Chew Daily to have made the offer on Sunday, sparking mass paranoia at the MCA and sending its president Chua Soi Lek fluttering for excuses to save face. “We cannot deny the possibility of DAP joining BN. What happens in the future, we cannot predict,” said Nazri.

Whatever the reason for Nazri to recant on Monday, the move to dump MCA has been anticipated. UMNO is not just trying to get rid of the Chinese-based party but also the Gerakan. Nazri has previously dealt even greater insults to the MCA, calling an it "abused wife" who refuses to leave despite the husband's mistreatment.

“No, it is not true. I did not invite DAP,” Malaysian Insider reported Nazri as saying on Monday, adding that “MCA must work harder” when asked how BN will reclaim Chinese support.

Unity government

UMNO may now be trying to slow down its aggression for fear that its ruthlessness may disgust voters even more. But pundits have no doubt that Nazri's invitation will soon open the floodgates to a string of 'marriage' proposals akin to those it made to PAS.

However, given that time is running out and a deal needed to be struck soon if at all, UMNO is expected to lay out its cards this time around for a form of unity government with the Pakatan Rakyat parties rather than engage in fruitless 'flirtation'.

With the near total loss of Chinese support, a hung Parliament has been predicted by many pundits, and this could be why UMNO is now trying to 'pally up' to DAP, which at one point it had described as the Malays' worst enemy.

Even now, Penang UMNO is trying its best to rock Malay support away from Guan Eng's administration. The Penang Chief Minister had just a day ago accused UMNO supporters of vandalising the state DAP headquarters.

"We are a multiracial party. Perhaps MCA and Gerakan have lost their representation in their respective constituencies. But they appeal only to their communities where as DAP appeals to all Malaysians. That is the difference. So the question (of joining BN) does not arise," said Guan Eng.

Why it is unlikely to work

And this is where the crux of the issue lies, and why the chances of any deal succeeding would be highly unlikely. UMNO is a Malay nationalist party and has held onto its political dominace through racial and religious politicking.

For the Pakatan parties to come to terms with it and still retain their crediibility, UMNO would have to change. However, even the man on the street will say that is close to impossible.

Firstly, UMNO is run by a core of elitist leaders whose first aim is to retain power at all costs. Second is the question of corruption. How can the Pakatan parties negotiate terms that will allow them to close an eye to all the money that has been embezzled from the people? Or allow UMNO to continue plying its racial favoritism policies rather than govern equitably and based on needs?

"Put it this way. The chances are growing by the day of a Pakatan victory that does not necessitate a unity government with the BN. For PKR, we won't compromise on our stand for multiracialism, freedom of religion and weeding out graft. I am sure the same goes for PAS and DAP," PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng told Malaysia Chronicle.

- Malaysia Chronicle