The government should have realized by now. To coalesce with the PAS,
the Malays and Islamic religion become dominant. Both leaders, the UMNO
and PAS should put out political differences that have been so long
embedded in their political battle. The common denominators can be the
groundwork for the UMNO and PAS inventing the new government.
The UMNO and PAS members came from the same source. They are Malays, and
they preach Islam and share the same culture. They are the earlier
settlers of the country. They are the indigenous. However, in term of
politics, they are different. The UMNO believes in moderate Islamic
concept whereas PAS believes in the Islamic system of politics. The UMNO
won the first election in 1955 and PAS remains itself as the opposition
up until today. If both parties were teamed up together, Malaysia could
have the biggest Malay party in the nation.
It is more than five decades, the UMNO and its allies the MCA and the
MIC have been ruling the country under the coalition party, the Barisan
Nasional. Today the coalition looks fragile. The Chinese and Indians
were perturbed by the concept of “Malay hegemony” propagated by the
UMNO. The 13th general election marked the coalition becomes unpopular among the Chinese and Indian voters.
The coalition just gets a simple majority to form a government. This
indicates that taking arbitrary power pertaining to public order is less
viable. For this reason also just after the collision form the
government, the Chinese and Indians led off to question many things
regarding the Malay privileges, Islam as an official religion of the
nation, home language, mocking the King and the Sultan and voicing their
dissatisfaction towards the present government as they perceive all
citizens in Malaysia including the Chinese and Indian should be
obtaining an equal rights. Backing up by the Chinese opposition party,
the DAP and the splinter group of UMNO led by Anwar Ibrahim, the leader
of PAKATAN RAKYAT, including the PAS, the Chinese and Indians extremists
had grown daring enough to dispute the constitution.
The UMNO and PAS leaders should have realized by now, the racial tug of
war involved both parties, and it may disintegrate the Malays and Islam.
The Malay leaders retaliated to the demand of the Chinese and Indian
to repeal the seditious acts. Without the act, they perceived, the
Chinese and Indians will continue to admonish the government. The
government looks very exhausted; the resentful Malays grew bigger and
stronger. The Malay movements back up by PERKASA demands the government
to be serious on issues pertaining to the Malay rights.
The PERKASA head of youth wing, Irwan Fahmi Ideris made a shocking
statement insisting Najib to resign as the Prime Minister of Malaysia
for his failure to protect the Malay rights. Najib’s concept of
1Malaysia is favorable towards non Bumis (Chinese and Indians) compared
to the Malays who suppose to get privileges as protected by the Federal
Constitution. PERKASA claimed, in his budget speech, Najib announced
millions of Malaysian Ringgit will be expended to upgrade vernacular
schools in Malaysia. This implies Najib’s moves are unfavourable towards
the growth of religious schools. Najib decision is tantamount to
ignoring those Malays who wanted to persue religious studies.
However, Najib has a strong reason of expending the vernacular schools. It is one the government obligation to ensure the Chinese and Indians in Malaysia received equal protection as insured in the Federal constitution.
The concept of “Malay hegemony” means to shake the very foundation of
unity in Malaysia. The Chinese and Indians begin to begrudge the
government because the NEP has given so much advantages to the Malays.
They claimed, the longest policy ever, the NEP causes the Chinese and
Indians to suffer discrimination.
Disunity among races makes the government weak. The Chinese and Indians
professionals had begun to flock together to pressure the government.
They accused the government is racist. They criticised the religious
institution, system of education and to the extent of mocking the King
and the Sultan. Their vicious criticism caused the government
stands to their demand by repealing the Internal Security Act,
nevertheless, they do not halt at that crossroads, they demand more as
to abolish the seditious act, to no avail the government not just defend
the act but streghten it.
In the thick of political upheavals, PERKASA, an organization that
protects the Malay interest in which the majority of its members is from
UMNO, reacts nonchalantly by attacking the non Bumi for their
outright viciousness and the Prime Minister as they perceived is too
lenient handling this issue. All the while, PERKASA, a steadfast admirer
of the prevailing party, the Barisan Nasional, has gradually drawn out
its supports and yet acting independently.
According to PERKASA Youth Wing, Fahmi, Najib’s policy of 1Malaysia
concept is pushing aside the importance of Malay previlages and Islam.
Najib practices the old style of governing system which was always
casting out the indigenous people who are the Malays and their religion
is Islam.
The political situation in Malaysia not only becomes complicated, but
more complex in nature. The Malays worry of loosing their rights, as
though the non-Bumi (Chinese and Indians) have the same variety of
perception fearing that they will be a slave in their own land.
Those perceptions, in reality it is not. Comparing the wealth of the
Chinese and Indians today with the Chinese and Indians who live 50 years
ago, they are better- off. Comparing the Malay today with those Malays
who live 50 years ago. The former were good at mannerism and They were
well mixed. The Federal constitution does not treat Malaysian citizen on
the basis of race and religion.
Since the Malays have many prilivages as mention in the constitution,
should they bring back the reminiscent of past. If they could, nobody,
particularly the Chinese and Indian will question their privilages. It
enshrines in the Federal constitution. The generation of malays
particularly the UMNO should have revised their political ideology, no
race is greater than the others. Propogating national integration is a
wiser move. The Malay should lead the country as what is professed in
the constitution of Malaysia. To bring back the malay soverign power,
all malay political party should have unite into one mother umbrella.
The UMNO and the PAS should lead in a new coallision government.
The UMNO & PAS SHOULD UNITE
Should the UMNO and PAS unite to form a government as to rejuvenate
the Malay sovereignty? The UMNO and PAS leaders may and may not accept
the coalition government, but both parties believed that the nation is
on the brink of racial conflicts. The land will become a republic and
bury the Malays and Islam in the chronicle of human kind. For
generations, the governing system in Malaysia subjected to the rule that
laid down by the Federal constitution which has protected the Malays
and Islam. Consider it or not, neither UMNO nor PAS willing to see the
Malay and Islamic religion destroy by their own practising. If it is,
let us look at the constitution and what are the factors benefiting the
PAS and the UMNO that representing a Malay population.Shad Saleem Faruqi wrote;
> The Federal Constitution contained many “indigenous features” of
the Malay archipelago, among them the Malay Sultanate, special position
of the Malays, Malay language, Islam as the religion of the Federation,
Malay reserved land and special weightage for rural constituencies over
urban ones for electoral purposes;
> State Constitutions of the nine Malay states contained
provisions that the Ruler must be a Malay-Muslim and, subject to the
discretion of the Ruler, the Menteri Besar must also be Malay. These
provisions were not disturbed by the Federal Constitution;
> In an act of great accommodation, citizenship was offered to all
persons of whatever race who were born in the Federation of Malaya.
Though these generous “jus soli” provisions were repealed in the 60s,
the multi-racial composition of Malaysia is largely the result of the
1957 recognition of the right to citizenship by birth;
> The Reid Commission’s time limit of 15-years on the special
position of the Malays was removed. The special position of the Malays
was made an integral and entrenched part of the Constitution. But clear
provisions were added that existing non-Malay rights will not be
extinguished in order to create quotas for Malays.
> Equality of treatment for all races in the service of the
Federation was guaranteed by Article 136. It is not well known that
Article 153(5) on Malay special position provides that Article 153 does
not derogate from the provisions of Article 136;
> Contrary to the Reid proposal, a provision for Islam as the
religion of the Federation was inserted. However, there was freedom to
all other religious communities to pursue their faiths in peace and
harmony. Documents were also exchanged that the addition of Article 3 on
Islam will not convert Malaya into a theocratic state;
> Reid proposals on the use of Tamil and Chinese languages were
modified. The permission to use Tamil and Chinese in the legislatures
was replaced with the provision that these languages could be used for
non-official purposes and that their teaching and learning would be
allowed;
> Religious, linguistic and cultural pluralism were recognised and
given constitutional protection in the chapter on fundamental
liberties;
> There was an agreement to share political power. The politics of
accommodation that the Alliance ushered in 1955 has provided Malaysia
with the world’s longest surviving political coalition;
> The role of the Conference of Rulers was enhanced. In addition
to electing the King, the Rulers were empowered to veto some
constitutional amendments, to have the right to be consulted on
important constitutional appointments and the right to deliberate on
matters of national importance.
The feature of the Federal constitution is much favour on the Malay
race and Islam. it could take the opposite direction, if the UMNO looses
the political power and the Federal constitution ammnded. The Malays
and Islam might not easily get privileges in the country, amidst the
growing resentful Chinese and Indians. Therefore it is wise if both
parties, the UMNO and PAS coalese to form a new government. To do this
let us look at both parties’ charecterisctics and aims. UMNO and PAS
are the Malay ethnic political parties but persuing different political
ideology. Despite their differences, they are all Malays and Muslims and
having the same cultural background and religion
Since the Malays are all Muslims, and the majority of the Malays are in
both parties, thus the suitability is there for the parties to combine
administration in one coalition government. By doing this, the coalition
will always ensure the Malay interests and Islamic religion in the
country will be standing on a formidable foundation and if the
coallision government is strong, excercing the law and order is easier.
Unfortunately, PAS leaders are not pragmatic calling upon building an
Islamic nation of Malaysia. It is not feasible to the notion of other
political parties, particularly the MCA and the MIC whose members are
neither Malays nor Muslims. The UMNO, on the other hand could not accept
PAS’s ambition of forming an Islamic states because Malaysia consists
of many races, ethnic society and religious beliefs. The country should
be ruled by the party that is pursuing a moderate philosophy of Islam.
One of the causes why the UMNO and PAS could not be together is because
the idealism of both political leadership is different. The extreme
behaviour of PAS and the arrogant behaviour of UMNO, both parties
overlooked the verisimilitude that they possess.
On the other hand, The PAS sacrifices its religious principle by
coalesce with the opposition parties that resist the idea of forming an
Islamic nation.. PAS should have realized by now, neither the DAP nor
other Chinese and Indian party is responsible for Islam. the Malays and
Islam is growing bigger and stronger because of UMNO’s persistence of
vision and consistence in promoting Islamic systems in Malaysia.
The Chinese opposition party in principle rejects the concept of Malay
privilege and Islam as an official religion of the country, and yet PAS
leaders thought it expedient to be with them. Presumably, the Chinese
oppositions took the country’s administration, could they materialize
the aforementioned constitution that has given privileges to the Malays
and Islam? What advantageous PAS get to be with the party that is having
incongruently in beliefs? Islam works with those who only knows and
loves Islam. Muslim’s proper preaching and loving other people, whose
religion is not Muslim, only can make the disbelievers appreciate Islam.
Today, the relationship between the Malay- Muslim and the Chinese and
Indians continued to soar. The Chinese and Indians begin to question the
Malay privileges and Islam. It worsens the situation when the PAS takes
side by joining the oppositions that are frequently belittle Islam and
the Malays. The numbers of Malays who oppose the government increased.
It could jeopardize the nation. It was so sad; PAS could not foresee a
form of vengeful move would result in the entire deal. PAS leaders realized that their achievement today is part of the toils of those whom they despise most- the UMNO.
PAS should have realized also, the NEP proves a right leverage to uplift the Malay economy and Islam in the country. When
the government brought in the NEP, it applies to all Bumiputras
indiscriminately including the PAS members. There were plenty of people
getting advantageous out of the NEP. Today, the Malays Muslim occupied
all the industries, the origination of higher scholarship. They are the
lawyers and doctors and religious leaders and teachers. They are the
businessmen, bankers and some become a millionaire. PAS IS UNGRRATEFUL
Despite PAS repugnant to the government policy, the policy has succeeded
to put the leverage to uplift the Malays at par with other people in
developing countries and simultaneously, it opens up the eyes of the
Malays to the outside world by allowing technology and world class
education to the malays. The Malays is not anymore, becoming like what
the western perceived “as human races on the trees.” PAS SHOULD SUBMIT
TO UMNO POLICY
The UMNO leaders tirelessly defended the Malay reserve land from being
led out by the Chinese and Indians. Eventhough, some human fallcacy
occurs around UMNO circles, sucn as corruptions and mismanagement in the
government but the policy is still intact and the UMNO leaders who is
also the Mministers have been painstakingly cleaning the mess. The UMNO
protects Malay language, quota system, Malay education, Islam as
official religion of the country, Malay cultural heritage and all other
Malay interests. All of this efforts make the Malay race and Islam has
firmly established its position for the future. Apparently, in principle
the UMNO is fighting for the Malays and Islamic faith. The PAS on the
other hand is fighting for the same course. What makes them distinctive
in their pursuit, the UMNO is putting more weight on the Malay
importance in its struggle, whereas the PAS has a firm desire to
establish the Islamic systems in total. Could both parties compromise
their core principle for the purpose of forming a coalition government
solely to protect the constitution- the Malay and the Islam? Given the
secenario of PAS rulling the country, it will do the same not to disobey
the Supreme law the malay prviligaes and Islam. So it is unwise, the
PAS to a bit compromise its principles and idealism. As though the UMNO
submissive to a good behaviour will make the Malay stronger forever.
Source : Merdeka Online
Source : Merdeka Online
Pendekar Melayu 2013
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