Berjasa: Third force for Malay voters?

 

(fz.com) - BERJASA, the party which rose from the "ashes" of the 1977 Kelantan Emergency before finding itself eclipsed after the 1990 polls, is set to resurface and contest the next general election. Sources say an official announcement will be made "very soon" – possibly on Friday.

The party, which has been "quiet" for a long time, had first expressed its intention to take part in GE13 last March when talk was rife that polling would be held then. But their "announcement" last year did not get much attention in the media.

But this time, it is said Malay/Muslim-based Berjasa is "ready to offer itself as the third force" and could provide the platform for individuals who want to take the plunge into the political arena but do not have a party for backing.

The party has always portrayed itself as "a cross between Umno's nationalism stance and PAS' Islamic belief". Perhaps that would "appeal" to the likes of former PAS leaders Datuk Hasan Ali and Nasharudin Mat Isa – don't forget that Berjasa is a PAS breakaway.  Or would former Umno man and current Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali be interested?

It is not known how many members the party has at present or its reach nationwide. Hence, on its own it is not expected to cause a huge impact on the political landscape of the country. But it could be a different scenario should the party form a pact with other political entities.

Berjasa will eye Malay/Muslim constituencies. That's a given so to speak. Its entry into the political arena will see a further split in Malay votes.

Berjasa or Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia was formed in 1977 following a political crisis in Kelantan, which led to a declaration of emergency in the state. And it played a big role in toppling the then Kelantan PAS state government.

Since Merdeka Kelantan has always been ruled by PAS. And when the party joined the BN in 1973 it was agreed that Kelantan remain a PAS stronghold, with Umno having a "share" in the PAS dominated government. Thus the Kelantan Menteri Besar then was the late Datuk Mohammad Nasir from PAS. The party then was led by Datuk Asri Muda.

Soon after, PAS-Umno rivalry intensified in Kelantan. Menteri Besar Datuk Mohammad Nasir, despite being a PAS man, was seen to be "siding" with Umno and frequently defied party instructions.

Irritated, annoyed and angry even, PAS demanded his resignation. Mohammad Nasir refused and was later sacked from PAS but he remained menteri besar.

A "no confidence" motion against the MB was tabled in the state assembly and carried by the 20 PAS assembly members. The 13 representatives from Umno and one from MCA walked out in protest.

Mohammad Nasir's response was to call for the dissolution of the state assembly. A legal impasse ensued. Followers of Mohammad Nasir held demonstrations in the streets of Kota Baru, expressing their support for him. Violence and looting were reported. The federal government headed by Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn rushed an emergency bill in parliament which was passed. A state of emergency was declared and curfew imposed in the Kelantan state capital, Kota Baru. PAS was thrown out of the BN.

Three months later, the federal government called for a snap election in Kelantan. Held on March 11, 1978, the election saw the participation of PAS, Umno and a third party formed earlier by Mohammad Nasir. It was named Berjasa.

PAS won only two seats in the 36 seat state assembly. Umno won 23 and Berjasa 11. That meant Umno had succeeded in capturing Kelantan from PAS and won the right to rule the state. That feat was made possible by Berjasa splitting the votes.

 

Berjasa subsequently joined the BN but did not make much headway in the coalition. Soon, support for the party diminished in subsequent elections. In the 1990 election, Berjasa was part of the Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah, an opposition pact of Malay/Muslim political parties formed by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who was then president of Umno breakaway party Semangat 46.

 

The pact, together with another opposition front formed by Tengku Razaleigh known as Gagasan Rakyat for non-Malay/Muslim parties failed to topple the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led BN.

 

Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah was dissolved when Tengku Razaleigh disbanded Semangat 46 and returned to Umno.

 

Since then Berjasa's participation in the political fray has been minimal. With the present intention of contesting GE13, is Berjasa ready to be resurrected  now? More importantly, what role will it play? What's the game plan?