Nik Aziz's political move can be detrimental to Malay unity

The call by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for an extraordinary "muktamar" or general assembly (EGM) to rid the party of "problematic leaders" could be detrimental to Malay political unity.

Although the EGM is perfectly legal under party constitution and in accordance with democratic practice, based on the experience of other political parties, it could affect unity among members and among the Malays.

More often that not, the act of sidelining leaders through an EGM, however democratic the process might be, could precipitate a split in a party when their supporters refuse to accept the results.

The political move by the Kelantan menteri besar seems to be disregarding the need to safeguard unity and is said to be spurred by his dissatisfaction over the stand taken by several party leaders who are in favour of working with Umno in strengthening Malay unity.

So far, only Kelantan PAS is reported to be supportive of Nik Aziz's proposal.

Kedah PAS does not feel the EGM is necessary while Perak PAS is non committal, saying the proposal should first be discussed by the party's central committee.

Nik Aziz confirmed to the media in Kota Baharu yesterday the call he made in his blog on Friday that an EGM should be held to rid the party of problematic leaders.

He mentioned three leaders in his blog, namely deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub met Nik Aziz in Kota Baharu yesterday following the "shocking" statement the "Tok Guru" made in his blog.

Federal Territory Umno liaison secretary Datuk Wira Syed Ali Alhabshee, who is also Cheras Umno chief, attributed the internal struggle in PAS to Nik Aziz's political attitude and approach.

"An ulama or tok guru who genuinely fight in the name of Islam won't have the heart to see disunity among Muslims," he wrote in the Cheras Umno blog today in which he also expressed shock over Nik Aziz's statement.

"A true tok guru is someone who shoulders the trust and responsibility in the overall interest of the ummah, above his own self-interest, and not deliberately severs ties among Muslims," he said.

Syed Ali said the unity government idea mooted by several senior PAS leaders, including its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, and Nasharudin, was good for the unity of the Ummah and should not be rejected by Nik Aziz.

Nik Aziz, in defending his stand yesterday, stressed that the call for the EGM was his own and made for the sake of the future of the party, which failed to maintain a winning momentum at the Bagan Pinang state by-election.
He also expressed confidence that the proposal would not cause disunity in the six-decade-old party.


comments

UMNO got more half a century to propose the so called malay unity but why bark now?and instead of a malay unity why not MALAYSIAN unity?please UMNO,go and die already..

Why is the government controlled press always talking about this crap? Why try to create fear among Malays that they will be at a disadvantage if BN loses power? Malays form the biggest group of people in Malaysia, and no matter what, will never ever be sidelined by any government.

After 52 years of Independence, all those who still openly shout about Malay unity, Chinese unity and Indian unity should be promptly placed behind bars or executed! Those people and parties are forever inward-looking, self-serving and anti-national in nature.

In fact, all race-based political parties must be banned as they are the source of confusion, division and lost of confidence amongst Malaysians.

UMNO and its media like to make the Malay Unity as an issue. This they have been repeating on and off whenever there is a clash between two Malay based parties or even with Bumiputra Parties in East Malaysia. Because they have being using this tools for their own benefits. The Malays in Peninsular Malaysia were more united before Merdeka, than now with BN rule. The Bumiputras in Sabah was split by UMNO. In Sarawak, with UMNO's influence with Taib, the Bumiputras are divided. So, don't talk of Malay Unity.

Of course UMNO will continue to do their utmost to drum up the unity plan with PAS because whatever the outcome the winner will be UMNO. If the unity plan cause a split in PAS, members who have been brainwashed about supporting the racist unity plan may leave PAS and join UMNO...If the unity plan succeed, then PAS is finished and UMNO will gain the strength of support of a larger malay electorate...So either way, UMNO wins at the expense of those PAS members wha share the same racist mentality as UMNO which go against the religious principles that PASD claims to represent...