Bersatu strategist divulges discussions with Hadi

INTERVIEW As a self-proclaimed reluctant politician, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) strategist Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff does not like to engage in the usual mud-slinging against political opponents - a strategy often relied on by politicians.

But one thing that Rais cannot accept is when his party and its leaders are relentlessly attacked.

He particularly took issue after a report in an English daily quoted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's political secretary, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, as saying that Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad had turned to the DAP after he was purportedly spurned by PAS.

"(Now) it's time for us to share some things, too, so that the people would know what PAS really is," said Rais who heads Bersatu's strategy and policy bureau.

Addressing the meetings held between Bersatu and PAS representatives, Rais cited a meeting of four people last year at which he was present, together with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, Hadi and former PAS election director Mustafa Ali.

"During the discussion we agreed and disagreed on certain things.

"I've never divulged these discussions before. But Samsuri started divulging private discussions and framing the discussions in a way that did not completely reflect the truth.

"He said, 'Mahathir turned to DAP after being spurned by PAS'. This is very unjust, it's far from the truth," stressed Rais, citing the newspaper report.

Samsuri reportedly said that Mahathir had turned to the DAP for help to unseat Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak after he was spurned by PAS.

Asked whether he had confronted Samsuri (photo) on the matter, Rais said he has yet to speak to both Samsuri and Hadi since the news was reported.

"But I thought that, as an Islamic party which is supposed to honour private discussions, they should know the principles. I don't want to sit down and teach them what Islam is."

Samsuri, however, said that Mahathir turning to the DAP was "general information".

"What else could we say, after such an unsuccessful attempt with PAS, then Tun (Mahathir) moved on with DAP leaders in various programmes?

"This is not a secret, it is public record.

"Then there are also certain people like Rais who harbour a totally wrong idea of 'if you are not with us fighting BN, then you are with BN'," he told Malaysiakini. 

The truth is always the truth

Meanwhile, elaborating further on the meeting held with Hadi, Rais said he had asked the PAS leader how the party - that was formed based on Islamic principles - was able to work with Umno, which has been accused of being a kleptocrat by certain quarters.

"His answer was very shocking. With a wry smile, he said that PAS was cooperating with Umno to merungkai (dismantle) it.

"I was shocked, I said how could that be - you talk about Islam and among the principles is you have to speak the truth even though it hurts.

"Then I told him, 'you are more of a politician than an ustaz (religious teacher)'. He was shocked, he asked me whether I always speak like that. I said 'yes'."

Hadi's affirmation, said Rais, had lent credence to Bersatu that cooperation between PAS and Umno would occur.

"I'm revealing all these because they revealed many things. If Hadi feels I'm not telling the truth, he can deny it.

"But the truth is always the truth. Allah knows what was spoken," added Rais.

As for the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdication) Act (Act 355), Rais said he had told Hadi, even before the PAS president's Private Member's Bill to amend the Act was tabled, that Umno would not do what it was supposed to - to take over and table the bill as a government bill.

"I said I don't see that Umno will carry through the promise and guess what, that's exactly what happened.

"But Hadi said if Umno doesn't fulfil its promise, then it is all right with PAS, for it will go back to the grassroots and tell them that Umno didn't do what it was supposed to do.

"Hadi said PAS will still be regarded as heroes and that if they failed to table the bill, they could tell the grassroots and the people of Malaysia that they had tried their best but were failed by Umno.

"I would like to challenge Hadi if he dares to disagree or deny what he spoke to us that night," Rais added.

Despite everything, Rais said Bersatu has not lost hope in cooperating with the Islamist party.

This, he explained, was because "this is all about saving our country".

"We know PAS will become, and can be an important factor, in securing the win and saving the nation.

"We are still hoping that some sense of Islamism will come into the PAS leadership for them to do the right thing and not to engage in political acrobatics."

Citing Hadi's oft-repeated ground in explaining PAS' cooperation with Umno - 'politik matang' (mature politics) - Rais is however of the opinion that it is instead 'politik malang' (unfortunate politics).

"Because how unfortunate it is for the rakyat if PAS starts to focus on political acrobatics and on their own party only.

"I appeal to the PAS grassroots and leadership to review and re-think about the greater interests of the people. Please, do the right thing.

"When you become a third force, you will split the Malay votes and the one who will benefit is Umno. You will be doing a favour to Umno."

Commenting on PAS' attacks against the DAP, Rais pointed out that the DAP was not the one responsible for the major financial scandals related to 1MDB and the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), among others.

"How can you say this and that about the DAP when the one doing it is the one you are trying to sleep with?"

To prevent three-cornered fights

Acknowledging that PAS would continue to exist, regardless of the outcome of the next general election, Rais went on to question whether the Islamist party was ready to "betray the hopes of the people".

"If nothing changes now, a vote for PAS is a vote for the continuity of the kleptocratic Umno.

"If PAS thinks that working with Umno serves the greater interests of the nation, that it will alleviate the hardships of the people, that it can get rid of corruption and abuse of power, then go. Go with that party.

"But if PAS feels that that those things can be done with us, come with us."

Prior to officially becoming the fourth member of Pakatan Harapan, Bersatu had initiated several attempts to forge cooperation with PAS, in order to prevent three-cornered fights in the 14th general election.

However, the negotiations failed.

Hadi, during PAS' muktamar last month, reiterated that his party would not collaborate with Bersatu, citing the Umno breakaway party's lack of leadership, among others.

Previously, various pictures had been given by different PAS leaders on the matter.

This included a statement by Hadi's deputy, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, which implied that the Islamist party was still in negotiations with Bersatu.

However, Hadi later said that PAS had decided not to have any form of political cooperation with Bersatu as the latter still maintained ties with DAP and Parti Amanah Negara.- Mkini