Is UMNO Sincere About Malay Unity?

The UMNO leadership appears to be desperate to hold the so-called Malay unity talk, and is certainly disappointed that it has been postponed by PAS. But the UMNO leaders are actually neither sincere nor serious about it. They shout about Malay unity, but in fact they have a hidden agenda.

Among the things they hope to achieve from this drama of Malay unity are: (a) to strengthen the position of UMNO and especially Dr Mahathir, whose support among the people is declining, (b) to divert public attention from fundamental economic and political issues of the day, (c) to cause a split in the Alternative Front, which is steadily growing in strength, and (d) to ignite confusion and division among the PAS members and supporters.

It is wise for PAS to postpone the meeting. The UMNO has not responded to the four point agenda suggested by it for discussion in the meeting, namely: (a) the judiciary and the case of Anwar, (b) the economy and the issues of cronyism, bailouts and poverty, (c) democracy and the growing state of authoritarianism, and (d) the position of Islam.

Likewise, the UMNO has not replied to the three prerequisites for the meeting as suggested by PAS, i.e. (a) return to status quo as regards the petroleum royalty to Terengganu, (b) restoring publication permit for “Harakah” to twice weekly, and (c) assuring no ban on the use of Islam in the name of any political party.

The UMNO is beginning to use its controlled media to attack PAS and to distort the latter’s actions and statements. Of course it has been doing this all the time to the Barisan Alternatif (BA). Clearly this was not meant to create a conducive atmosphere for any meeting. Worse still, during the past week, the police has stepped up its brutal actions to disperse peaceful gatherings held by BA in different places, like Kubang Pasu, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Lumpur, Kulim and Gurun. The police also arrested a number of people in Kulim and Kuala Lumpur in connection with the peaceful gatherings. The have also arrested 50 persons who participated in a walkathon organised in Kuala Lumpur to support the SRJK Damansara.

We do not know if the police acted under the instruction of Home Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, or if he was in turn ordered by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The fact is that, being Home Minister, Abdullah must take full responsibility. The terrorising acts of the police must be roundly condemned by all who love peace and democracy.

Consistent with the invitation by the Barisan Alternatif to the Barisan Nasional for a round table to discuss the question of National Unity, PRM calls upon the leaders of the parties in the BN to respond to the invitation quickly. Failing to do so, they will only confirm the belief generally held by a large section of the public that they are actually neither interested in nor sincere about Malay or National Unity.

Dr Syed Husin Ali
PRM President

20th February 2001