Interview United Opposition Coalition Needed BA and DAP must get back to the negotiating table
Aliran Monthly: What do you think of the state of opposition politics today?
Both sides, the DAP and the current BA, which is now only three parties, should somehow look forward and negotiate to get the DAP back into the fold. The BA as a four-party coalition was in my opinion the best ever coalition to provide constructive opposition to the government.
AM: For the DAP to come back, how do you think the Islamic state issue can be resolved? Is there a way out?
Rashid: You know, with the wish for the DAP to come back – as I said, that is the best form of coalition – I think both sections, the DAP and the current BA, should somehow be more cooperative. There should be openness between each other; there shouldn’t be any hidden agenda; they should come out up front, go for common goals.
Each of the parties in the current BA has maybe got a certain agenda. But if it (the agenda) is not (conducive for) a united opposition front, each party should, within its own party, consider not putting (its agenda) forward as it would affect the coalition.
AM: What do you think of the public’s reaction to the opposition at the moment?
I think the DAP should sit down properly - everybody should be open, no hidden agenda - with PAS and Keadilan and discuss the future of Malaysia, what it is supposed to be.
Ok, Islamic country? Now even though the DAP doesn’t want an Islamic country, the BN (ruling coalition) has already announced Malaysia is an Islamic country. So why don’t we define it, how an Islamic country looks like. Make it (the definition) clear and everyone agrees with this and the public knows what an Islamic country is all about, PAS and Keadilan how they understand it.
Maybe the public will say, OK, this gap that the DAP is not happy with – which portion does the DAP not agree with? After all, the MCA can agree with the Islamic country run by BN. So I think they will have to make it clear.
AM: What kind of impact did Sept 11 have on the opposition? And now with the Bali blast…How should the opposition deal with it?
Rashid: I think, to see things negatively, all this will definitely be damaging especially for the opposition parties, those related to Islamic issues, especially PAS. But to see things in a constructive way, a positive way, this is an opportunity for the opposition parties to iron out things: let’s be clear, they should identify and remove those members who are not in line with the struggle of the party, those who may be extremist in their understanding. From what we have been told by the opposition side, especially PAS, they do not subscribe to that kind of activity. It could be from some other kinds of sources.
I am sure that PAS with the current breed of leadership - I’m sure they will be striving for more nation-building up front rather than destroying the whole country. The idea of terrorism is not acceptable in the true teaching of Islam. If Sept 11 and any terrorism incident has implicated the opposition parties, the opposition especially PAS should make a stand that their struggle is not at all linked to such terrorism.
AM: What do you think is the position of keADILan today? Has it been effective?
Rashid: Keadilan has had a little bit of change in organization recently with their internal general assembly. They also have plans to join hands with PRM. That seems to be a good move as far as we can see because both the parties have got a common goal. And from what I can read of the messages from the non-bumis, especially the Chinese, some of them have indicated that they like the approach of keADILan because of the non-racial option that each of the individual leaders can play in keADILan. I think this could be something that even the MCA and the DAP might be afraid of.
AM: Do you think the non-Muslims will be worried about Keadilan’s links with PAS?
Isahak: I don’t see that as a problem currently. They know that Keadilan and PAS are cooperating with each other. In the previous election, we can see they came together -Muslims and non-Muslims as well - so I don’t see any problem.
Rashid: If I may add - that kind of coalition is very strong, the strength is there, whereby some of the Chinese, they have been given an opportunity if they were to join keADILan. And this is in comparison with the BN where they have segregation, the MCA, the MIC, UMNO. But the impact, of course, is not that very great because the majority of the rakyat are comfortable with the current BN set-up. If they can see things clearly, the set-up of Keadilan is much better in terms of racial desegregation.
With regards to political issues, even though JIM is an NGO and non-partisan, we feel the need to educate citizens; we call it politik warga, citizens politics, which means that even though they might not be members of a political party, they still need to know what are their rights, what are their roles and responsibilities.
AM: Final thoughts: what should the opposition do to improve its credibility?
Rashid: For the betterment of the country, the existence of the opposition is important to serve as a good check-and-balance for the country’s administration. So I think the opposition parties should somehow go back to the old coalition of the BA, whereby the DAP should be in the coalition, whereby they even had their own manifesto, the Alternative Manifesto. I think that there is some lesson to be learnt from the split. And the best option is to get back as one force.
Isahak: About JIM’s stand, we are principle-centred, which means that we are not biased. When talking about the opposition and BN, as long as they do the right thing, we should support and give suggestions. Not only NGOs, even the opposition parties also - if the BN does something, don’t just condemn, but provide a better alternative, a better approach. One of the good things that has happened since the BA was formed is that every year they come out with the Budget. That’s a very good activity. Even though it gives ideas to the BN, it doesn’t matter; but let the people know if any idea originates from the BA.
Rashid: Finally, that motto Negara Kita Tanggungjawab Kita (Our Country, Our Responsibility), JIM supports that. It’s part of the struggle.
JIM is a Muslim reform and missionary group registered in 1990. The word “Islah” is translated on the JIM website as pembaikan (reforms) and perdamaian (peace). The JIM motto is Bersama Islam Membina Masyarakat (Community Building with Islam).
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Mohd Rashid Hasnon: The coming together of the opposition parties in the original Barisan Alternatif was very good and (gave rise to a) formidable coalition. But with the DAP no longer with the Barisan Alternatif, the coalition has somehow been jeopardized. This can be seen in the recent by-election in Sabah.
Isahak Ismail : Well, currently, it looks like the momentum of the opposition parties is not as strong as it was before. One of the problems they currently have is the pullout of the DAP, as Rashid mentioned just now. The pullout, in my opinion, has something to do with the understanding of an Islamic country.