Unite or face religious extremism, Zaid warns PH, Umno
Former cabinet minister Zaid Ibrahim is calling on PH and Umno to set aside their differences and form a moderate coalition for the good of the country.
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has called on Pakatan Harapan (PH) to work together with Umno to form a “more moderate Malay-based” political bloc to resist further advances from the more “extreme” Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He said that coming into the 15th general election (GE15), PH, which has been attacking Umno relentlessly for being corrupt, was itself blindsided by PN peddling a more “dangerous,” “extreme, religious and almost fascist kind of thinking.”
That ideology has now become a “formidable force in this country,” the former law minister said.
“We cannot allow this country to be fundamentally changed forever,” he said, adding that once it has set foot such “religious extremism” cannot be reversed.
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has called on Pakatan Harapan (PH) to work together with Umno to form a “more moderate Malay-based” political bloc to resist further advances from the more “extreme” Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He said that coming into the 15th general election (GE15), PH, which has been attacking Umno relentlessly for being corrupt, was itself blindsided by PN peddling a more “dangerous,” “extreme, religious and almost fascist kind of thinking.”
That ideology has now become a “formidable force in this country,” the former law minister said.
“We cannot allow this country to be fundamentally changed forever,” he said, adding that once it has set foot such “religious extremism” cannot be reversed.
PN is a coalition comprising Bersatu and PAS, which are Malay-Muslim parties, as well as Gerakan, STAR and Sabah Progressive Party, which are multi-racial and multi-religious.
“Let the good, or relatively good and moderate people work together. Let common sense prevail (instead of) egos,” he said.
Zaid said whatever issues PH had with Umno could be “remedied and sorted out”, adding that the once-dominant Malay-based party also had its strengths.
Alternatively, he suggested that PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim consider forming a “solid bloc” with the coalitions in Sabah and Sarawak, if he found it “more palatable”.
He described Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Abang Johari Openg as a “sensible and moderate leader”.
Both Abang Johari and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor could support Anwar as leader of the country, said Zaid.
“Politics is sometimes about the lesser of two evils, (not) idealism. I hope you (Anwar) make the hard, but right choices so that we can stem the tide,” he added.
With several states, including Selangor expected to hold their state polls, Zaid warned that action must be taken now to ensure that PN does not win in Selangor.
If it does, “the game is over”, he warned.
Yesterday, PH won 82 seats in the general election, the largest number among all parties, which includes five seats won by Sarawak DAP and one by Muda.
PN was close behind at 73, including 22 seats won under the PAS banner. BN trailed with 30 seats.
Meanwhile, GPS won 22 seats and GRS swept 6.
“Let the good, or relatively good and moderate people work together. Let common sense prevail (instead of) egos,” he said.
Zaid said whatever issues PH had with Umno could be “remedied and sorted out”, adding that the once-dominant Malay-based party also had its strengths.
Alternatively, he suggested that PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim consider forming a “solid bloc” with the coalitions in Sabah and Sarawak, if he found it “more palatable”.
He described Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Abang Johari Openg as a “sensible and moderate leader”.
Both Abang Johari and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor could support Anwar as leader of the country, said Zaid.
“Politics is sometimes about the lesser of two evils, (not) idealism. I hope you (Anwar) make the hard, but right choices so that we can stem the tide,” he added.
With several states, including Selangor expected to hold their state polls, Zaid warned that action must be taken now to ensure that PN does not win in Selangor.
If it does, “the game is over”, he warned.
Yesterday, PH won 82 seats in the general election, the largest number among all parties, which includes five seats won by Sarawak DAP and one by Muda.
PN was close behind at 73, including 22 seats won under the PAS banner. BN trailed with 30 seats.
Meanwhile, GPS won 22 seats and GRS swept 6.
Unfortunately, I find this warning from Zaid timely.
ReplyDeletePH should endeavour to keep PN; especially PAS, out of Federal power.
Sabah and Sarawak parties must work with PH, not PN if they want to keep the toxic politics as practised by PAS out of their states.
BERSATU has begun to be infected with PAS' political poison and must also be contained.
Malaysia is on the cusp of seeing extremism spreading. This must be stopped.