PUS/PISS

- Norman Davies, “Europe: A History”

COMMENT | Well yes, all democracies are flawed but that is not the point. All over the world, there are people living in flawed democracies that are far better than those withering away under theocratic rule. GE15 will determine if we remain a flawed democracy or if we are truly on the path to theocratic statehood.

P Gunasegaram got it right when he wrote, “There are too many imponderables at play right now“, but what is vitally important right now is to remember that the religious extremists in this country are in a far better position, because of the squabbling in the Malay political establishment. The deep Islamic state comprising fellow travellers is busy creating and inciting mischief on behalf of political operatives eager to maintain hegemony in a political landscape, which has necessitated frantic coalition building between treacherous parties. This is why Pakatan Harapan should go at it alone.

A section of the electorate thinks that PAS is a joke, even though the party has not only made headway through corrupt strategies to acquire power in certain states but also, more importantly, was enabled by mainstream Malay parties to do this. Everyone talks about the youth vote going to the progressive forces in this country, but in recent elections, they have proven unreliable or going towards parties like Bersatu and by extension Perikatan Nasional (PN), rather than being the manna from heaven for Harapan.

Coward : PAS is not a joke. You can ignore it as a fringe party at good times, but right now, you cannot. Its chances as kingmaker in GE15 is not something to be ignored, particularly since Mahathir's punny Pejuang and GTA associate who wants the role is a non-starter. It will be a factor that all parties aspiring to be government has to reckon with if GE15 resulted in a hung parliament. If keeping PAS out of the government is the objective, our first job will be to deny it that chance ensuring no hung parliament. Failing that, minimize their seat count so they have the smallest of influence so that they fail the selection to be government and if we fail that, minimize the harm they can do.

Coward : UMNO right now feels that it does not need PAS. It is also part of their strategy to make sure they get the most number of seats. Given a choice between UMNO and PAS, I know who most will chose as the lesser devil. They are telling PAS: Let's go in and show our strength before we discuss. 

They are not willing to share with PAS until they have to. PAS should had gone in alone, show their strength and come into the negotiation later. They don't want to do it. They want to be sure to be in government, and teaming with UMNO, leaching on their support base and eating into their seats is the way. That just show how selfish they are.

BluePanther4725 : All these 'ketuanan' privileges mean nothing when our country is in decline and our economy is tumbling due to a highly corrupted and incompetent government. The country is unable to sustain these privileges for the Malays to the next generation. 

It's far better to have a clean, competent govt who is focused on reform and recovering our economy and helping the poor regardless of race and religion. Subscribing to racism and religious discrimination is a destructive path, which is the only path for BN and PN. PH is not perfect, but it's a much better choice as it's willing to change.

MS : "...whatever creature that emerges from the fall of Najib Abdul Razak would be far worse than a kleptocratic regime." Which underscores my long-held belief there is no saving this country...which will continue to lurch from one crisis to another, from the hands of unashamed thieves to the those of bigoted fascists.