Divergent positions on unity government reveal internal conflicts within Pakatan Rakyat – So-called co-operation merely to fish votes

PAS President Dato’ Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has not given up the idea of a unity government with UMNO. His deputy, Nasharudin Mat Isa has taken a similar stand in that he mentioned that PAS is open for unity talks. However, both PKR and DAP do not accept the same position. “This indicates how deep the internal conflicts within Pakatan Rakyat plunges that a matter of such national interest still is unable to be resolved by the three Opposition parties,” remarked Sdr Lee Wei Kiat, the Spokesperson for MCA.

Wei Kiat, pointed out that, “Hadi Awang had informed the public that the concept a unity government had been acknowledged and received the support of DAP and PKR. Immediately in response, both DAP and PKR denied knowledge of such talks. PKR Deputy President Dr Syed Husin Ali refuted PAS’ claims that PKR supported the formation of a unity government. Meanwhile, DAP Stalwart Lim Kit Siang also disputed Hadi Awang’s claim that DAP was positive to PAS talks of a unity government.”

Adding that “in the past, Pakatan Rakyat leaders would say that they have an internal machinery where all disagreements were voiced out, and problems solved through musyawarah. They further claimed that if a consensus was not reached, the issue would be discussed further,” to which Wei Kiat said, “from what we’ve observed, there clearly isn’t any instances of consensus within Pakatan Rakyat. Formation of a unity government is a very major national matter which involves the country’s future direction. If they cannot reach an agreement on this issue, it reveals that their so-called ‘teamwork’ runs along the lines of empty talk. Their co-operation is merely to garner votes from the public.”

On Pakatan Rakyat’s claims that any disagreements within the internal machinery shows there is democracy within the Opposition, Wei Kiat dismissed it as “an excuse. In reality, Pakatan Rakyat’s disagreement over the unity talks reveals that their internal machinery is not a feasible nor a workable idea. Trying to implement their consensus decision is an exercise in futility. They are unlike Barisan Nasional where cabinet decisions are reached and carried out based on consensus.”

Meanwhile, rebuking PAS for claiming that it is able to co-operate with anyone including non-Muslims, Wei Kiat who also heads the party’s Information and Communication Bureau further highlighted that “PAS is an opportunist party who will join in a partnership with any party just for the sake of wrestling power and for self benefit. Although PAS claims they champion human rights, a welfare state for everybody, in reality, this is just their façade to fish for votes.”