HAVING tasted the fruits of electoral success in the recent Johor and Negri Sembilan state polls, both PAS and Barisan Nasional (BN) are sure to replicate the alliance in the soon-to-be-held Melaka state elections.
This is precisely the concern of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in speeding up investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the Tabung Haji and FELDA financial scandals that have rocked the country.
If UMNO had gone along with Anwar, the probe of financial irregularities and mismanagement into these two federal agencies might have been stopped.
Investigation and prosecution of mainly UMNO leaders is the trump card held by Anwar. Whether this trump card would be able to prevent UMNO from aligning with PAS remains to be seen.
UMNO leaders are upset with Anwar for opening up the investigations for no other reason than to prevent the political alliance with PAS.
Anwar might think that the investigations and prosecutions might contribute to derailing the alliance in the Melaka state elections.
Delegitimising UMNO can backfire
The investigations and prosecutions might drag on indefinitely – maybe four to five years or even more – considering the option of appeals.
UMNO’s present calculation is that it should go ahead with an alliance with PAS in Melaka to further defeat the ailing PH coalition.
A victory in Melaka would be sufficient for the opposition to call for national polls. If Anwar delays the 16th General Election (GE16), then BN would withdraw its support for Anwar.
I don’t think Anwar might have the political legitimacy to continue governing in the absence of UMNO and its allies.
I have a strange feeling that the move to delegitimise UMNO through investigations and prosecutions might have the opposite effect.
There are even rumours in UMNO circles that former graft buster head honcho Tan Sri Azam Baki – despite having officially retired – is in fact assisting Anwar in going after certain UMNO leaders for their alleged involvement in financial scandals.
Given this, will Anwar seriously go after Azam for his above-the-limit dabbling in the share market and the presence of a corporate mafia during his term in office?
It is obvious that Azam is needed more now than before. Wonder who is the real or de facto chief of the MACC at present?
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.
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