The announcement by PAS president Dato’ Seri Hadi Awang that he may not contest in the 13th general elections (GE), predictably brought about immediate response from the opposition leader, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who urged him to stay on, citing that the president of PAS is “critical for co-operation. He is important for PAS and Pakatan Rakyat”, adding that he wanted to ensure that Hadi Awang “remains in PR’s top leadership” (Malaysian Insider, 29 January 2012).
The PKR’s de facto leader’s remarks only reconfirm Pakatan Rakyat’s dependence on theocratic PAS to dominate, and could not risk to consider other candidates from within PAS, or from DAP or PKR to contest in his constituency.
On this issue, the PKR leader does not even consult with his DAP colleagues on alternative candidates to be fielded for Hadi’s two constituencies. This clearly shows that DAP’s presence is irrelevant to PAS or PKR in the opposition pact’s decision making hierarchy.
All’s not well within Pakatan
Moreover, Anwar’s excuse for Hadi Awang to stay on validates assertions that the Pakatan Rakyat coalition has faltered with no succession option, and such a grouping of political convenience is purely for power-seizing rather than for serving the rakyat.
The announcement by the Marang Member of Parliament mulling not to defend both his state and federal seats reflects on PAS’ increasing intra-party conflicts. The apparent rift which sees conservative up against ultra conservative members is splitting the Islamist party further.
Pakatan Rakyat devoid of leadership succession plan
For too long, power within PAS, DAP and PKR is dominated by the same few stalwarts and their respective family lineage who are reluctant to groom or pave the way for other potential successors.
On the other hand, the PKR’s ketua umum urging Hadi Awang not to relinquish his incumbency signals that Pakatan Rakyat and PAS have exhausted their pool of potential leaders to lead with new ideas and strong vision.
The PAS president has been a wakil rakyat for over 30 long years. If Hadi Awang opts not to defend his seats, his decision should be respected. It is timely to infuse young leaders within PAS who understand and respect the rights of non-Muslims to make the party relevant. However, having moderate open-minded leaders from PAS is not likely in the near future.
Toh Chin Yaw is the MCA Terengganu Chairman and Assemblyman for Bandar Constituency
The PKR’s de facto leader’s remarks only reconfirm Pakatan Rakyat’s dependence on theocratic PAS to dominate, and could not risk to consider other candidates from within PAS, or from DAP or PKR to contest in his constituency.
On this issue, the PKR leader does not even consult with his DAP colleagues on alternative candidates to be fielded for Hadi’s two constituencies. This clearly shows that DAP’s presence is irrelevant to PAS or PKR in the opposition pact’s decision making hierarchy.
All’s not well within Pakatan
The announcement by the Marang Member of Parliament mulling not to defend both his state and federal seats reflects on PAS’ increasing intra-party conflicts. The apparent rift which sees conservative up against ultra conservative members is splitting the Islamist party further.
Pakatan Rakyat devoid of leadership succession plan
For too long, power within PAS, DAP and PKR is dominated by the same few stalwarts and their respective family lineage who are reluctant to groom or pave the way for other potential successors.
On the other hand, the PKR’s ketua umum urging Hadi Awang not to relinquish his incumbency signals that Pakatan Rakyat and PAS have exhausted their pool of potential leaders to lead with new ideas and strong vision.
The PAS president has been a wakil rakyat for over 30 long years. If Hadi Awang opts not to defend his seats, his decision should be respected. It is timely to infuse young leaders within PAS who understand and respect the rights of non-Muslims to make the party relevant. However, having moderate open-minded leaders from PAS is not likely in the near future.
Toh Chin Yaw is the MCA Terengganu Chairman and Assemblyman for Bandar Constituency
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.