Unity Goverment - Anticipate or Participate

The past few weeks saw the media buzzing with reports and comments from various leaders on the idea of the so-called 'Unity Government'.

For those who follow the politics of Malaysia closely, must realize that this has not been the first time talks on a Unity Government came from the quarters of PAS.

About a year ago, the buzz was on the 'muzakarah' issue between a few prominent PAS leaders with the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi. The muzakarah was quickly translated by the BN influenced media as the possibility of PAS-UMNO securing ties for the good of Muslim/Malay.

Tok Guru Nik Aziz shot down the whole idea by saying that any sort of a merger with UMNO would mean being bitten by the same snake, from the same hole, twice.

He likened the secret meeting between Tun Abdullah and a few PAS leaders to a 'muqabalah', meaning a mere discussion.

The statement from PAS spiritual leader, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz managed to simmer down the issue. Therefore, it was most unfortunate that PAS Party President, Tuan Haji Abdul Hadi brought about the issue of a Unity Government at PAS 55th Muktamar recently.

As much as the top leaders of PKR, PAS and DAP reaffirm their commitment to Pakatan Rakyat, the possibility of PAS merging with UMNO is still very real. After all, PAS and UMNO are the two biggest Malay/Muslim based political parties in Malaysia.

After the political tsunami in March last year, Malaysians had a taste of what politics based on idealism and principles feels like, instead of falling back to the same voting pattern based on race and racial sentiments.

Malaysians plucked up enough courage to change the political landscape of this country. We see now, no longer do the Malays fear DAP, and the sight of non-Muslims waving PAS flags proudly, was something almost unimaginable, more than a year ago.

Malaysians are ready for changes, but are the politicians ready as well?

Parti KeADILan Rakyat has a platform ready for Malaysians who believe in justice, equality and politic beyond racial line can be achieved.

I, for one, like to toy with the idea of a 2-party system. The 2-party system is made up of Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional. No more PKR, no more PAS, DAP and no more UMNO, MCA, MIC.

No longer would any quarters be using race and religion to divide Malaysians for their political survival.

No longer would keris wielding be acceptable to anyone.

Instead, the debate would then be based on good governance, transparency, idealism, economic plans, the list could go on but it would not include things like - any particular race supremacy and quotas.

Maybe, only then would Malaysians be truly united. But it certainly will not happen with a Unity Government.