PKR, please think hard about talks with PAS

By TK Chua

I am a novice in politics but as an interested Malaysian, I wish to give my two cents’ worth on the current impasse in PKR.

For PKR to negotiate or not with PAS, to me, is not a real issue.

PKR must first ask what the negotiations will lead to, the objective of working with PAS and the ultimate objective of PAS as a political party.

I believe the desire to negotiate with PAS is to boost the chances of gaining power. I think PAS knows that, too. But is winning the “be all and end all” objective of all political parties?

Surely political parties seeking power would want their policies and objectives implemented after that.

But how can negotiations with PAS and taking it on as a partner help PKR and Pakatan Harapan rule this country? It is obvious by now that PAS’ raison d’etre is at odds with Pakatan’s, and there are no signs of compromise from the party at all.

Negotiations with PAS, if successful, will only lead to more headaches in the future. Who will be calling the shots when they sit down to rule, and what would be the coalition’s overriding policies and thrust going forward?

It is obvious by now that PAS is playing a very treacherous game. It is supporting BN/Umno but at the same time does not want to appear to be doing so. In fact, this has evolved into an art form: its support for BN/Umno is counterbalanced by its criticism. We ignore this treacherous strategy at our own peril.

PAS knows that BN/Umno is unpopular but it will not support Pakatan because the coalition does not meet its agenda – an agenda supported blindly by many but which will only bring tears to this country some day.

We have to go back to what Pakatan stands for: a nation that believes in good governance, diversity, openness and progressiveness. Does PAS fit into this?

To some extent, Pakatan has helped to popularise PAS. It is time to rein in this party now. If Pakatan openly and unequivocally renounces PAS, the party will lose its “leverage” against Umno.

TK Chua is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.