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.
The author with MB Nizar and Chong Eng MP on 4th February
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.
This morning, I asked a supplementary question in the Johor State Assembly to the EXCO for Housing and Local Government Dato’ Haji Mohd Jafni bin Md Shukor on the question…
I read with great amusement Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong’s response to my earlier statement about traffic congestion. Wee in an interview with China Press on 30 May…
I am stunned that both current Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and convicted former Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak are bringing back the idea of introducing the…