National unity and harmony: Is it too much to ask of PAS and DAP?

Share to help stimulate good governance, ensure future of people & M’sia

No News Is Bad News

For image info, go to https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/370722 

National unity and harmony: Is it too much to ask of PAS and DAP?

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20, 2024: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim says both the Taliban-like PAS and DAP can reduce extremism overnight if they cease labelling each other as extreme.

“(both) political should lead by example in mitigating extreme behaviour,” he added.

Is it too much to ask of PAS and DAP to stand down on racial and religious bigotry?

Not if they are really thinking of the interest of rakyat dan negara (people and country).

It is really a shame that Malaysians are still striving for national unity and harmony 66 years after Merdeka (independence) 1957.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on what Zaid said:

 

Riding ‘Putrajaya bandwagon’ can reduce extremism overnight, says Zaid

FMT Reporters-20 May 2024, 12:04 PM

The ex-law minister says political parties should lead by example in mitigating extreme behaviour, telling PAS and DAP to cease labelling each other as extreme. 

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim says extremism in Malaysia can be swiftly curtailed if all political parties unite within the federal government.

PETALING JAYA: Extremism in the country can be curtailed if all political parties unite and “ride the Putrajaya bandwagon” together, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said today.

He said this in light of the recent increase in extremist activities, such as the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station and the death threat received by DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

Zaid said political parties should lead by example in mitigating extreme behaviour, calling on PAS and DAP to stop branding each other as “extreme”.

“DAP should invite PAS to join the government. PAS should stop attacking (Prime Minister) Anwar (Ibrahim). Everybody should ride the Putrajaya bandwagon, and I am sure we can reduce extremism overnight,” he said in a posting on X.

Zaid also said Umno should support PAS’s inclusion in the government, adding that a united political stance is crucial for effective governance and peace.

“While some people celebrate the destruction of Umno-Barisan Nasional hegemony, these people do not realise that without a solid united stand, we can’t have peace, let alone for Putrajaya to govern effectively,” he said.

PAS and DAP were previously allies under the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat, the then-opposition coalition. Pakatan Rakyat, which was formed in 2008, was dissolved in 2015.

The two parties have often accused each other of extremism, with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang recently calling DAP an “extremist” group in a speech at a Perikatan Nasional ceramah for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

Meanwhile, former rivals DAP and Umno are now allies in a unity government formed by the king’s decree.

In his X posting, Zaid also said that merely condemning extremism is insufficient. Instead, he said working together and sharing power responsibly would better ensure the well-being of the people.

“Extremist activities will cause the government to react and respond in what they consider a proper response,” he said, adding that such responses might sometimes be disproportionate and lead to further extreme reactions and a spiral of violence.