Najib helps PR to consolidate

It may not sound right at first glance that Malaysia’s incoming Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak had united the opposition but unwittingly the recent maneuvours in Perak that caused the fall of Pakatan Rakyat state government have resulted in stronger bonds among opposition parties in face of adversity.

Soon after the general election almost a year ago, there were attempts to form UMNO-PAS coalition government in Perak and Selangor on the basis of Malay/Muslim unity.

PAS’ spiritual leader and Mentri Besar of Kelantan Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat vehemently opposed to such moves citing the history of PAS’ near annihiliation in 1977 in Kelantan, four years after forming coalition government with the Alliance and three years after the formation of Barisan Nasional, of which PAS was a founder-member.

The Perak incident confirmed Nik Aziz’s worst fear of BN.

I was at Nizar’s residence on 5th February, the day the Sultan of Perak rejected MB Nizar’s request to dissolve the assembly. Tears flow freely as the imam who led the congregation of mostly PAS members could not contain his emotion.

The cut is deep. After 4th February, no PAS leader in his right mind would advocate for cooperation with UMNO. The Perak incident leaves Pakatan leaders no other choice but to work closely with each other.