Hope lies in the third force – Sin Chew Daily

Following the decision at the recent PAS muktamar to sever ties with the DAP, the DAP declared that Pakatan Rakyat no longer exists, ending the coalition formed before the 2008 general election. How the ties will go now depends on the decision and direction of the three component parties, but we can expect a reshuffle for the country's politics.

The country's politics is currently in a state of chaos, as not only Pakatan Rakyat is trouble, but so is the Barisan Nasional.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has come under repeated attacks by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad while the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debt issue is driving the political situation. Meanwhile, the factional problem within MIC remains unsettle.

After gaining a wider support rate in the previous election, Pakatan Rakyat has failed to make good use of it. Instead, one after another wave of crisis has affected its stability and even pushed it to the point of collapse, disappointing a great number of voters.

Whether a third force will emerge after both the coalitions have failed to gain full confidence of the public has now become the subject of great concern.

Would PAS forge an alliance with Umno to preserve the Malay agenda? If so, it will be a backsliding towards a narrow, race and religion-led politics.

Such a development is not desired by the people as most of the public want the country to move towards political pluralism, openness, democracy and tolerance.

In short, it is time to put an end to the racial and religious partisan politics. Political parties must get rid of the racial and religious framework to establish a new political pattern of openness and moderation.

Only national unity and harmony can meet the needs of voters.

It is basically not a new issue. Politicians and scholars have studied the possibilities of merging BN component parties into one, and of course, with the BN's political habits and thinking, it is not absolutely impossible, but the obstacle is greater.

Meanwhile, Pakatan Rakyat is more likely to make a successful example, but the lack of a powerful leader and polarised ideologies are its fatal weaknesses.

Therefore, a new political force which has completely got rid of racial and political agenda is needed to drive the development of Malaysian politics. It is no longer a proposition to be discussed among academics, but a possible development.

All we need now is the perfect timing, as well as a capable and daring leader. – mysinchew.com