SINCE the Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faisal Azumu was toppled through a vote of no confidence in the Perak assembly, there have been reports that Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Umno may team up to come up with a new government. Whether it happens or not is yet to be seen.

It is obvious that such an unholy alliance has been scorned by some DAP supporters who claim that the party should hold on to its principles by not cooperating with Umno.

Some have used the historical argument of how Umno conspired to topple the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government in Perak in 2008, which makes Umno a great enemy.

Some writers have gone as far saying that DAP will be punished severely in the next general election if it works with Umno.

While some of these grievances are real and needs to be addressed by any coalition that might emerge, there is something obvious that ardent supporters of DAP, whose world view seems to be dualistic and self-righteous, are not seeing.

One has to keep in mind that during PH’s rule, DAP leaders were caught in a bind for standing for a certain idealism of proclamation when being in the opposition, without understanding the complexity of Malay identity politics and the powerful ethnic-minded bureaucracy that would take years to reform.

Its idealism has also failed in helping it understand the Malay community through empathy.

Any reforms would very much depend on the type of Malay leaders that would emerge. Hoping for such reforms from Dr Mahathir Mohamad was rather far-fetched, since the very existence of Bersatu at the time was to show that it was a greater fighter for Malay rights than Umno.

How would DAP with its all its principles survive in this context?

Secondly, the latest strategic political development has shown the growing relationship between PAS and Bersatu.

PAS has been using Bersatu and Umno as a means to bring about Islamisation in the country. For example, there was a deafening silence by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on the demolition of Hindu temples in Kedah, and when racial slurs were used to depict Indian leaders who protested against such a move.

By cooperating with the good apples in Umno, DAP could neutralise some of these threats.

It’s vital for DAP supporters to understand that PAS is far more dangerous to the well-being of the nation than Umno, based on its current actions.

While Umno has been corrupted due to the 1MDB scandal and cronyism, taking up these issues as a single issue is simplistic, when there could be other areas of cooperation that would help the common good.

Of course, there is Muafakat Nasional (MN), but its contradiction with Perikatan National (PN) should be an opportunity for DAP to look for a strategic alliance that could bring some of its principles to reality.

While some would argue that, ultimately, the coalition would run its course, since the general election might be held anytime next year, one has to keep in mind that DAP has to look at strategic alliances with non- corrupted leaders of any political party if it wants to be part of good governance.

DAP could still fight for its principles in a governing coalition that needs to be formed due to a hung parliament, and that would require political opponents working together for political stability.

One could refer to other countries where ideological opponents have formed a government to ensure the wellbeing of citizens are not compromised while going separate ways when comes to elections.

Therefore, it’s time that DAP supporters be realistic and understand the complexities that come with forming coalitions.

What is needed in Perak and the federal level now is a strong government that plays a critical role in helping the rakyat in the current economic and health crisis, instead of self-righteous dualistic politics that paralyse the nation in the long run.

True principles are not about proclamation but reside in action and a lifestyle of integrity that looks at what is good in others and what is good for the nation as a whole. – December 7, 2020.

*Ronald Benjamin reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.