IT is commonly perceived that in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies, only expediency to serve personal or partisan interests. It would thus seem that politics is bereft of ethical principles that govern political relationships and engagements. Recent developments in the Malaysian political landscape lend credence to this assumption.
The aftermath of the 14th General Election, which saw the demolition of Barisan Nasional, brings to the fore the question of integrity, ethics and loyalty in political relationships. It also exposes the predatory nature of some political parties and their leaderships. This is most evident in Sabah and Sarawak.
Political parties in these two states benefited when BN was in power. They were regarded as fixed deposits or vote banks, and the then prime minister was hailed as the epitome of camaraderie for these two states. But when BN lost to Pakatan Harapan, these parties and their leaders dropped it like a burning coal. All the years of goodwill and companionship evaporated.
In Sabah, political jostling took on a dramatic and even macabre turn. BN and Parti Warisan Sabah, with PH, each won 29 state seats. Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, led by Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, helped BN form the state government, with Tan Sri Musa Aman as chief minister. Two days later, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation joined the Warisan-led camp, with DAP and PKR of PH, enabling Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to be sworn in as chief minister.
It indicated that Sabah’s political parties and their leadership are not beholden to any political allegiance. They have no qualms about deserting a political entity or even voters. As a result, Umno is left in the lurch.
Likewise, in Sarawak, coalition partners pledged loyalty and undivided support to BN when it was in power, reaping huge benefits from the coalition. However, when BN lost, Sarawak coalition partners — Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Progressive Democratic Party, Sarawak United People’s Party and Party Rakyat Sarawak — abandoned BN to form their own coalition, Gabungan Parti Sara-wak. To seek greener pastures, they have indicated their willingness to work with the PH Federal Government. Such is the fragility of trustworthiness of Sarawak- and Sabah-based political parties.
The same attitude is also found in the peninsula, especially in political engagements and affiliations of Pas since its inception. Pas’ migratory principles in labelling opponents as haram, kafir and then halal is legion. For example, they have been having convoluted relationships with DAP and Umno. At one stage, they were against DAP and Umno. They even declared a fatwa that Umno was a party of infidels and it was haram to pray or eat food cooked by Umno members. DAP was labelled a satanic party that was against Islam.
Then when they joined Pakatan Rakyat with PKR and DAP, everything was kosher and Umno remained the sacrilegious party. When they fell out of favour with Pakatan Rakyat, they connived with Umno against the opposition. Umno is no longer a blasphemous party, but a politically halal ally to realise its agenda. Once again, DAP bore the brunt of Pas’ religious torments, as well as other parties in PH.
When BN lost the election, Pas realigned its trajectory to submit to political expediency. DAP and other infidels are once again viewed in a positive light. Pas’ twists and turns are examples of its chameleon-like allegiance and loyalty to ethical political principles. This is an example of a party that has no scruples about labelling others as devil or saints to serve its interests.
As the party that forms the backbone of the government, Umno’s relations with its coalition partners have been consistent and amicable, and, understandably, they have given reciprocal support. It was so because in its early years, it was led by able, accountable, trustworthy and ethical leaders. But over the years, greed and avarice seeped in, resulting in traumatic experiences in its intra-political relations.
Even after losing power, it is quite commendable that some BN elected representatives and members have remained steadfast to the party in the peninsula and have not migrated in search of greener tufts. Umno should not abandon these loyal partners, but it needs to develop strategies to rejuvenate BN into a credible and trustworthy coalition.
Perhaps the right and ethical-minded members and leaders who maintained their loyalty and allegiance still believe in the ethos of the original coalition, which fought for independence and brought development to the country. They are perhaps cognisant of the folly of blind loyalty and allegiance to corrupt leaders instead of the ethical and moral principles of the party. Hopefully, they have realised that loyalty and respect must be earned, not enforced.
It would take time for this predator syndrome in Malaysian politics to be phased out and be replaced with one that is mature and intellectually inclined, which would require politicians to undergo an attitudinal change from one of selfishness to selflessness.
The new PH government, which ushered in a new era of political maturity, promises such a possibility, not only in its emphasis on the rule of law, but also on accountability to voters.
Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin is an emeritus professor of performing arts in the School of Arts at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. He can be reached via mdghouse_nasuruddin@yahoo.com