PAS-Umno merger to consolidate Malay votes likely in GE15, Syed Saddiq warns

Gan Pei Ling Gan Pei Ling Updated 5 years ago · Published on 9 Jul 2018 11:58PM · 8 Comments

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says two of the three new Umno vice-presidents are clearly right wing in their ideology, as are the party's new Wanita and Youth leaders. – The Malaysian Insight pic, July 9, 2018.

THE rise of right wing leaders in Umno will take the party closer to PAS, said Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

“I predict in GE15 (15th general election) PAS and Umno will merge, and this time (they) will merge very seriously. 

“If YB Khairy (Jamaluddin had) won, I’m pretty sure the merge won’t happen. But Ahmad Zahid Hamidi won,” Syed Saddiq said in a public forum on Malaysia’s changed political landscape at Sunway University earlier today.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mahdzir Khalid, two of the three new Umno vice presidents, are clearly right wing in their ideology, he said. 

“Except for Khaled Nordin, the vice-presidents are clear cut right wing, very close to PAS,” said Syed Saddiq. 

Umno’s new Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad and Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also espoused ideas similar to PAS’, he said.

Assuming that the Malay vote was split three ways in GE15 for Pakatan Harapan, Umno and PAS, Syed Saddiq said, an Umno-PAS mergence would mean capturing two-thirds of the Malay vote.

“From there they can negotiate with Sabah and Sarawak parties to form the federal government (with them),” he said.

Forum moderator and DAP strategist Liew Chin Tong, however, argued that Malaysians must go beyond labels, and focus on their commonalities rather than differences.

“Why do right wing politics thrive? It’s because of insecurities and lack of trust,” said Liew.

“It’s easier to segregate people in a rural setting but it’s more difficult in urban areas,” said Liew, adding that some 75% Malaysians live in urban areas now.

He is confident that PH will remain popular if it can provide better jobs, salaries and opportunities for the youth and create a common sense of identity among Malaysians regardless of class and ethnicity.

“In terms of economic policy I think we should move a bit left, to ensure there is economic growth and equitable distribution (of wealth). 

“In terms of race, we should be centrist. Bring back Bangsa Malaysia. When most Malaysians feel they have a stake in this country, that will create a common sense of identity and destiny (that unite us),” said Liew. – July 9, 2018.
 

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Comments

  • Yes...with quality jobs...quality life...quality communities...who wants to be retarded?

    Posted 5 years ago by GP CHUA · Reply

  • Then there will be more "saving" of Malaysia yet to come with PAS's insistence on hudud law that Brunei seems to have successfully implemented since 2016 to ensure good behaviour among both Muslims and non-Muslims. (Yes, in Brunei hudud applies to non-Muslims as well.) I read last year that only an Indonesian mechanic fell foul of hudud for smoking during Ramadan time and was fined. Not bad at all, when people flout secular laws and get away with wrongdoing. Under hudud we need not be afraid if we don't intend to do wrong, so no sweat. Long live hudud, 1 of the world's 4 great religions we have in Malaysia. Something to look forward to then?..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Liew Chin Tong is naive. Religo politics cover too many personal matters that can be politicised and sensationalise. The masses are too easily moved to use higher abstract thinking to overcome it. Ask any teacher about teaching abstract thinking and you will understand the problem.

    Posted 5 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • Merger on a good price. Anything can happen for a bagful of dedak.

    Posted 5 years ago by Alias abdullah · Reply

  • It'll very sad when that happens. Umno with the present leadership got not enough grey matter to be a constructive Opposition except to use race n religion as the card. Wt this rgds, they will pander to PAS, who also using religion to gain political mileage. Bot are bankrupt of substantive issues to be a worthy Opposition

    Posted 5 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply

  • An UMNO PAS merger will be a marriage "made in heaven." However such a marriage will further minimise the chances of East Malaysian Political Parties joining them due to the PAS factor. Therefore Sabah and Sarawak will be the counter-balance to an UMNO PAS merger, if it does happen. Sabah will grow more in status as a king maker if UMNO Sabah is not given any opportunity to resurrect.

    Posted 5 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply

  • Too bad Khairy lost in the contest for UMNO President, but time is on his side.

    Posted 5 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply

  • If Umno and PAS decide to sleep together, they will be in the opposition forever. Umno will not have no chance to become gomen again without the non-Muslims, and Sabah/Sarawak voters. In the short term, Umno may arise again as the jaguh kampung but is this what they want to remain as in the long term?

    Posted 5 years ago by Da Hi · Reply