YOURSAY | No permanent friends or enemies in politics, just interests

 

YOURSAY | ‘It’s just another day in Malaysia, nothing much will change.’

Muhyiddin resigns as PN chief effective Jan 1

BusinessFirst: With Muhyiddin Yassin, the Bersatu president and outgoing Perikatan Nasional chairperson at the top, flawed as he was, he served a purpose: he put a face to PN that was not PAS.

Bersatu, like Umno, is a Malay nationalist party. This arrangement addressed concerns among Malays who were not impressed by PAS’ religious extremism (or conservatism) and its economic track record (often seen as incompetence).

That calculus has not changed. What PAS wants is a figurehead. They appear to believe that Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin is the right person to lead, someone closer to PAS and, crucially, someone they feel they can control.

However, Muhyiddin remains ambitious. He has made it clear he has not given up the Bersatu presidency. In that sense, he is calling PAS’ bluff, daring it to take PN leadership to prove his own “value”.

If PAS takes the helm, it would, in theory, put PAS in pole position to name the prime ministerial candidate.

Any message non-Muslims hope to send to DAP would be drowned out by that reality. PAS understands this, which explains the recent overtures, from helping M Indira Gandhi, the mother seeking her abducted daughter, to renewed talk of “justice”. All these are aimed at moderating its image.

In politics, every chess move invites a counter-move.

Milshah: Always start the day on a positive note. For Pakatan Harapan leaders worried about losing votes, just read the comments on PN articles. For PN leaders worried about losing votes, read comments on Harapan articles. Both sides get hit.

Don’t panic as if the sky is falling. Emotions run high in the moment, but when it comes to voting, people usually still vote along familiar lines.

Just another day in the land called Malaysia. To me, most of this is political drama. Nothing much will change.

A real game-changer would be if DAP pulled out of the government. This is something many non-Malays talk about wanting. If that happens, PAS and Umno could revive Muafakat Nasional (MN). They could even rope in Amanah and PKR in the name of “saving the ummah”.

Politics has no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. Umno and DAP were sworn enemies for decades, yet now sit together in the unity government.

If Umno can work with DAP, working again with PAS would be even easier.

That said, I don’t think DAP will pull out. Doing so would worsen the position of non-Malays. So, in all likelihood, nothing dramatic will happen.

In fact, this may be good news for Harapan, especially DAP. A PN led by Bersatu is less feared than a PN led by PAS. A clear choice between a PAS-led PN and Harapan strengthens fears of a “green wave”.

Non-Muslims will have to rethink whether they want to punish Harapan for unfulfilled reform promises. If Harapan loses, PN wins, and if PN wins, the chairperson is usually the prime minister. PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang as PM - anyone?

I suspect DAP will retain its seats in GE16 with continued non-Malay support. P/S: DAP is lucky to have PAS as the opposition.

GP2025: Does Muhyiddin still control Perlis Bersatu, or is the state chapter operating independently? The fact that he did not sack the five assembly members who signed statutory declarations suggests he does not support PAS.

If so, not only should he resign as PN chairperson, he should either leave PAS altogether or step down as Bersatu president and let Hamzah take over, since Hamzah appears to work better with PAS.

If Muhyiddin is serious about putting national interests first, he should relinquish the Bersatu presidency as well. He no longer appears to command solid party support.

Justice for All 2025: Although it may be a bit late, it is still good that Muhyiddin has finally resigned as PN chairperson, especially after fighting tooth and nail to remain opposition leader.

Frankly, it is something of a miracle that he survived this long, given his own court cases and the corruption case involving his son-in-law.

From a broader perspective, it is difficult for PN to act as an effective check and balance on the government - particularly on integrity, credibility and fighting corruption - when its leader is entangled in similar issues.

BlueDiamond: PAS has once again shown its true colours. They want a talak (divorce) as they are itching for another nikah (marriage) with Umno.

Divorce and marry again. Slowly, they are going to get rid of Bersatu for Umno. A religious party but without principles. Even the Malays have realised this: PAS cannot be trusted.

Now they will have heaps of promises for Umno and even the PM-ship, but eventually, they will get rid of Umno. Just keep watching. - Mkini