The Bersatu-PAS ‘marriage’: An ill-fated matrimony that does nobody any good

[superadmin]

THE winds of change that blew across the country in the aftermath of the 15th General Election (GE15) can be said to have blown away all hopes of seeing racial harmony and religious tolerance taking firm root in a multiracial society.

What has emerged is a coalition of two major forces that are united in their political cause and political creed that might not be healthy for the country.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) which was given a slim chance of advancing to the forefront of national politics, staged a stunning comeback to overtake the Barisan Nasional (BN) to become the new powerhouse in Malaysian political history.

But behind this tale of the rise of a new dawn for Malaysia is the frightening awareness that the leaders of the two parties – Bersatu and PAS – are not the type you would want to entrust your future.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Bersatu president who sees Jews behind every tree, is no strong advocate of a pluralistic society because he once said he is Malay first and Malaysian second.

Tan Sri Hadi Awang, the PAS president who sees communists under every bed, is overtly antagonistic towards other races and is hell-bent on establishing a state based largely on divine rules.

With these two leaders now in the ascendancy, they could pose big problem to all the cherished values that have sustained collective harmony for so long.

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