After 1 month: Debra Chong talks to Pas research centre chief Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad(The Malaysian Insider) - Many people want to believe that race-based politics no longer applies to 21st-century Malaysia. The people were elated beyond belief when their wishes came true on March 8.
But 1 month later, even the most optimistic voter cannot deny there are some political veterans, even among the Pakatan Rakyat, who still insist on playing the “race” card when it is clear it no longer holds currency. Or does it still? Like the 1 sen coin, the race factor needs to be dealt with before anyone can move on. Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, head of PAS research centre, offers his views on this crucial matter. Q: What are your views on Pakatan Rakyat? Were the results a passing fancy, a flash in the pan, a mere coincidence? DA: It has always been my conviction that given the plural demography and mixed ethnic composition of the Malaysian electorate, the opposition parties could only pose a serious and meaningful challenge to the hegemonic and absolute control of power by the BN through a People Pact/Alliance or Front, we now call Pakatan Rakyat. Thank God, sanity, tact and wisdom have finally prevailed among our leadesrship. The BN’s media would like you to believe that this result was just a “one-off” or be even coincidental or fluke. We were “lucky”. Perhaps it’s true but the Opposition should now understand how to be continuously “lucky” and winning the game each time. There are specific dynamics and parameters that dictated the event. No one should be in denial of that. Therefore the Pakatan Rakyat should ensure that all these factors should work in our favour everytime. Q: Can Malaysians now actually talk openly about moving beyond racial barriers in today's political climate? DA: Yes, indeed this is one of the obvious outcomes of this election. The younger voters and those in the “middle-ground-class” and more informed and “enlightened” segments of the electorate, are already in that kind of mindset. They are getting less partisan and already set to debunk race-based politic. Looks like they are only “partisan” to the politics of justice and good governance and visibly against parochialism and narrow-mindedness. Q: How do you see Pas working with DAP, considering the differing idealogies? DA: PAS and DAP not only have different ideological commitments but perhaps one that are diametrically opposed, one entrenched in Islam and the latter in secularism. But again, this is the beauty of democracy which allows you to differ and dissent democratically yet not necessarily destructive and inimical to one another. Given the challenges and crisis confronting the nation and the broader common goals and targets that both PAS and DAP would want to achieve and realise, both have to size up to the tasks and place the nation and rakyat beyond partisan and ideological interests. Incidentally, there are more common grounds to bring us together if we remain focus on achieving the shared vision of justice and good governance. Q: Please share your views on Pas's relationship with PKR. DA: PAS has always had good working relationship with PKR. There were difficult times but we were able to surmount these with tact and trust. I forsee we will enhance our relationship, now that we have state governments to run and manage and together with DAP in our Pakatan Rakyat. The onus is on all of us to make the relationship work. The mainstream media is always so willing to cause dissension and discord in our ranks. Q: Will the coalition hold? DA: Yes, if we are relentless and resolute on holding it together. We have been mandated by the rakyat and they gave us 5 states and 82 parliamentary seats. Every time we want to call the coalition off, look into the eyes of the rakyat, especially the marginalised and the downtrodden section of the rakyat, how they have put their hope on us and could we ever disappoint them? You ask yourselves. Q: Can a 2-party government system work? DA: Already there have been calls and clamours for BN to be a single party. Now the BA (Barisan Alternatif) will be evolving and maturing itself into a Pakatan Rakyat with DAP coming on board. Yes, I do think we are ready for a 2-party government system. Q: How? DA: On the mechanics of it, we need to discourse and brainstorm into it more seriously only democracy. The devil is always in the details. But frankly, I think it looks like we are dictated by the changing landscape and topography and soon will feel that it is rather a necessity dictated by our needs and wants. Our democracy is flexible enough to accommodate for these changes and dynamics. Gone are days when the rakyat are only beholden to the Umno/BN, as if they are the be-all and end-all of power and provider. It is now the rakyat taking charge. They are the real boss and employer. The 2-party system will work in the favour of the rakyat and the “check-and-balance” of democracy will work in the rakyat’s favour while the “government of the day” will truly serve the interest of the rakyat and the nation. What a dream for a new Malaysia and renewed nationhood!
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