This would be logically the next necessary step to take if the three parties were to consolidate the unexpected success in the last poll to create something which will more sustainable. Let us be honest about it. The people has voted for the Oppositions largely as a protest to the corruption, decadence and the arrogance of the ruling Barisan National. The Chinese has voted for the PAS and the Malay has voted for the DAP. But there are a large number of the voters when asked the name and background of the candidate they voted for would not be able to answer. They had simply voted for the candidate who stood against the hated Barisan National. It is that simple.
So as the excitement subsides, the people start asking themselves whether they have done the right thing? Whether they have not gone overboard? They now keep a watchful eye on the parties and the candidate they voted in and try to give them the benefit of doubt. Many of them fear that they may have voted in the wrong party or the wrong candidate.
Many would suspect that if the election is to take place again one week after the current poll, the result may be quite different.
Sustainability is now the key-word.
Anuar, Kit Siang and Hadi very well know it.
Especially important is not to have the 5 state governments which they control now each go their merry own way and do things. Worse, the policy on a specific matter in one state may contradict that in another state. This will put them in bad light, even to appear as political double talkers.
But the speed with which the three parties come together to have a preliminary agreement on forming an alliance is commendable. At least it shows that they are serious, purposeful and determined.
The announcement was made in a Press Conference co-chaired by Anuar, Kit Siang and Hadi Awang, and the most sensitive question raised by the press are two:
- Has DAP accepted the establishment of an Islamic State in Malaysian, as that is the political objective of PAS as enshrined in its party constitution? If the answer is "no", then the next question is ...
- Has PAS given up the political objective of establishing an Islamic State ?
The answer is simple and expected : The People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat PR) strive to deliver the value which is common to all, namely justice, freedom, democracy and transparency etc.
But the press will never stop at this level of answer. PAS's President is hard-pressed to give a definite answer on the question whether they are giving up the Islam State.
Unable to provide a politically correct answer, he simply refuse to answer the question.
As far as i can see, this question will continue to be raised in the future and Hadi will have to find a good answer fast.
It is not going to be just a theoretical question, because a Secretariat which consists of the top people from the three parties (perhaps their best ideologues) will soon sit down to draft a document which will be the common policy guideline for the 5 states under their control, and that include Kelantan which PAS has control for many years. This means a lot of the things which are being practiced Kelantan will have to fit into a set of common policy which is acceptable in all 5 states. This is not easy because the five states cover the most remote, such as Kelantan and the most modern such as Selangor, and as such the social-economical setting are very different.
I can see the difficulties in drafting such a policy document. I must not say they will fail, but I do admire their courage in trying.
If they manage to come up with such a policy document which is applicable in all five states which represent nearly a full spectrum of Malaysia's local social-economic scene, I would applaud for them.
Malaysian awaits the result.
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