The democracy process and the votes of the people have been abused by the Kajang Move. This is a fact that no one can dispute. Not even by the DSAI’s team who plotted this scheme that took the nation by surprise. There was not the slightest of evidence to suggest that a proper consultation process by all three members of the Pakatan Rakyat had taken place prior to this crucial decision when it was all obvious that even the top leaders in PKR were caught off guard when it was announced.
Speculations are rife since the news broke out and series of press conferences and media statement by the plotting party so far failed to shed much light. DSAI’s strategist, Rafizi Ramli, did try to allay the confusion but his flimsy explanation was vain at best despite admitting that he was ‘the strongest proponent of the scheme’. With a prelude of this kind, this question rises almost naturally- Whose agenda is actually being served by this Kajang Move?
This question is indeed far more important than how this event will unfold later on. It is safe to say that the interest of the people is absolutely not a consideration in his latest maneuver. DSAI seems to have all the freedom to pursue his cause and ambition unchecked. As whether DSAI is really serving his own quest for power or merely acting on behalf of a hidden influence (internally or externally) is an eventuality that should not be dismissed so early. It is hard to agree that PKR is trying to do the nation any good by insisting that this action is part of the grand plan to oust UMNO from Putrajaya when they themselves are becoming and behaving more like UMNO by the day.
If we were to look at those around PKR, it is interesting to see how DAP so readily threw its backing to DSAI’s plan even in the absence of further explanation from his camp. Knowing that DAP is always operating with meticulous planning and strategy, its prompt support to this plot somehow confirms that any outcome of the by-election, including a defeat to DSAI, will only strengthen DAP’s grip on Selangor directly or otherwise. It is a case of an opportunity that just fell into its lap.
The responses from PAS were rather mixed although the voices from the higher echelon already seemed to be inclining toward DSAI’s favour. Understandably, PAS need to be extra cautious so as not to appear to be heeding so willingly to the whims and wish of DSAI. This is especially so to its loyal grassroots members who are expected to do most, if not all, of the tasks comes the campaigning period. Nevertheless, this turn of event does provide an opportunity for PAS leadership to prove that bringing down UMNO and quenching a man’s thirst for power can still mean to be two completely different things.
By the end of this by-election, when the dust has all settled, each of the players and stakeholders will sit and reflect how their own agenda has or has not benefited from this whole episode. To those who may still have some bits of concern, there are still many it is hoped, the following question may yank at their heartstrings- What happen then to the agenda of Islam?
This is not a misplaced question. It has begged and waited for an honest answer for years now. While it is never a key element in BN administration with the implementations yet to resemble its rhetoric, the supposedly better replacement to UMNO and BN does not offer anything more promising either. In fact, going by how recent incidences related to Islam and Muslims were handled, the interest of Islam seems to destine for an even greater obscurity.
There is still time for those who are honest to see that Islam be restored to its deserved position to close the rank and pursue this cause with or without the participation from the two forever-quarrelling sides. The circumstances have come to the point that everyone is just concerned to outdo each other in the race to achieve absolute power. Power will be defended or gained by any means necessary, at whatever cost, completely disregarding the possibly dire consequences to the future of Islam in this country.
This must be put to a complete halt. It is time to do away with this narrow and binary approach of politics whereby Muslims are continuously being put between a rock and a hard place. Let’s then make this Kajang Move the game changer to the fate of Islam in Malaysia instead. Make it as the turning point where each and every group or organisation that claim to be representing Islam to honestly reassess their very reason for existence and whether they are willing to stand resolutely for its cause. Only through this will the agenda of Islam be considered seriously and prioritized in the future plan of Malaysia. It is a duty that requires unwavering self-will in seeing it through which brings us to the defining final question- are there any takers?
Azim Luqman
ISMA Activist
Well said bro. anwar is the biggest thorn to Islam & Muslims in this country and perhaps, beyond. he is heavily backed by the anti-Islam elements locally and internationally. however, his ability to garner support from among the neutrals can be attributed in no small measures by the excesses committed by umno leaders; corruption, abuse of power, wastages, you name it. since the advent of the alternative media, people have access to informations previously unknown. people have also become more conscious of their rights and aware of the duties of the country’s leaders. gone were the days when the rakyats would swallow whatever was fed on them. we thought, with the bashing it got in the 12th GE, umno leaders would taubat but no. it’s business as usual for them. thus the opposition was able to gain further grounds in the last GE.
things aome to a head when those excesses began hit the people in the form of rising costs of living.
anwar, being shrewd, exploited this umno malaise to the fullest by throwing in all the populist promises and promises of a clean government if elected to power. I, for one, was deeply disappointed initially when pr failed to topple bn march last year because i thought we could enjoy lower toll rates, fuel prices etc2. later, though, i was thankful that pr lost but neither did i rejoice over bn victory.
knowing the dangers to islam that anwar will bring, it is incumbent on us Muslims to turn kajang into the munafiq’s waterloo. it’s an opportunity presenting itself. but with the renegade pas solidly behind anwar, the job will be made tougher.