Pakatan break-up a blessing in disguise

"Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past."

This quotation from a famous German philosopher seems rather apt for the unfolding political circumstances that Malaysians are caught in today.

It is not an idealistic interpretation of history, but an interpretation that takes into account but material and ideational aspects of history and development.

The first thing that comes to mind is to make sense of the political developments that are gripping the nation with the fallout between DAP and PAS in the Pakatan coalition.

While many are lamenting the historic and tragic break up of the Pakatan coalition, others are, however, resigned to the fact that the Pakatan coalition is a thing of the past and new formations must be facilitated.

Coalition politics cannot be avoided in Malaysia, but the question is, what kind of coalition politics will emerge within the ranks of the opposition with the sad demise of the Pakatan?

Both DAP and PKR are not in any comfortable position to choose their friends for the new formation, but must come to terms with developments that are fast unfolding before them.

Life beyond Pakatan possible

If politics can be conceived as the art of the possible, then there are numerous opportunities for the re-emergence of a coalition among the forces that are fundamentally opposed to BN.

There is growing belief that BN’s formula of representation is a thing of the past and the sooner this is discarded, the better it is for Malaysians.

But BN might not just disappear that easily; we need strong forces from the new coalition to deal a powerful death knell for BN’s eventual demise.

There are already indications that the professional group within PAS might consider forming a political party to fill in the space left vacant by PAS.

PKR might not want to tear itself suddenly from the existing Pakatan, but it has no choice.

In the final analysis, PKR, as already indicated by some leaders, will have to consolidate its position with DAP.

PAS, with its strange and extreme brand of sectarianism, will be relegated to a regional role confined to one or two states.

It has forgotten that attainment of a national stature was because of its role in the Pakatan coalition.

Without the Pakatan coalition, PAS will have no choice but to embrace Umno; a move akin to jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Why stick to formula?

Formation of a new coalition is not going to be that easy. Many factors will have to be considered, evaluated and decisions made.

However, a start has already been made.

There are signs that progressives are meeting, discussing and planning their next move.

The month of fasting will be an excellent opportunity for these progressives to think of alternative ways how they could come in and re-establish ties with DAP and PKR.

The difficult process to facilitate the formation of a new coalition must be an all-embracing one.

There is no necessity that structure should reflect the earlier three-component formula.

Maybe a time has come to reduce the fallout from this formula by embracing additional one or two parties.

While the PAS progressives component is essential, there is need to bring in other segments as well.

To recapitulate, wishful thinking has no place in this process of coalition formation.

We are not really in a position to choose "perfect" friends, but have to do with those who present themselves as adherents to a common policy framework.

PAS' cardinal sin was to go against Pakatan's common policy framework, which resulted in the drastic rupture of the coalition.

So forming a new coalition is replete with problems. We cannot choose and order things as to our preferences.

We cannot select circumstances, but to function under circumstances that present themselves.

Blessing in disguise

To reiterate, the break up of Pakatan can be considered as a blessing in disguise.

It took seven years for DAP and PKR to ascertain who their friends and enemies are. The enemy has been identified and dealt with effectively.

The next question is to move forward in Malaysian politics.

Intellectually, an all-embracing flexible formula should be considered to capture and come to terms with the complexity of the Malaysian social and political make-up.

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P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the assemblyperson for Perai.