SIDE VIEWS
The story of Zul and Khalid — The Malaysian Insider
APRIL 18 — Oh dear, how the roles are being reversed?
The political party that gave us the voices of reason and moderation of Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Dr Ismail is now succumbing to more shrill tones and providing cover for divisive characters.
And on the flip side, the political party that once struck fear in the hearts of non-Malays for its fire and brimstone tone and narrow world view is now being increasingly seen as the centrist party, home to some of the country’s most inclusive politicians.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Shah Alam, where incumbent Khalid Samad of PAS is pitted against Zulkifli Noordin of Barisan Nasional.
Nowhere is this change of scenario clearer than on the campaign trail from Masai in Johor to Baling in Kedah where PAS politicians talk about non-Muslims as brothers and not ungrateful, demanding Malaysians.
Nowhere was this more evident than when Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently played the race card and raised the possibility of racial clashes if Lim Kit Siang won in Gelang Patah, and PAS’s Mahfuz Omar offered Malaysians the protection of his party if violence erupted.
Not long ago, non-Malays looked to Umno for protection or at least comfort. Now, non-Malays have a warm, fuzzy feeling when Khalid Samad speaks.
Not hard to figure out the seismic change. One party has abdicated its centrist position and has been pulled to the right by the likes of Dr Mahathir, Ibrahim Ali and Zulkifli, preferring to view issues through the prism of Malay nationalism and rights and unafraid to make provocative statements like burning the Bible.
PAS, on the other hand, while still a refuge to some jarring voices like Haron Din and Hadi Awang, has over the years understood the reality of this country: that more than anything, Malaysians do not want to be enemies with each other. All they want is to be treated as citizens with equal standing.
Khalid Samad understands this fact. And that is why he stood up to the Umno guys who paraded a cow’s head in Shah Alam in protest against the building of a Hindu temple. It is for this reason also that he has reached out to Christian communities in the constituency.
He sees it as a normal function of an elected representative: standing up for and serving ALL his constituents.
Way before Zulkifli insulted Hindus and Indians, he showed his true colours by storming a Bar Council forum on religious conversion.
The man has no respect for non-Muslims or for people who have different opinions than his. Yet, he is championed as BN’s transformative candidate.
How things have changed for Umno?
DESIDERATA: I have had the privilege of conversing with Sdr Khalid Samad and his comrade-in-arms Dr Zulkifly Ahmad (of Kuala Selangor) at a few BUM and lunch meetings. With such INCLUSIVE and PROGRESSIVE leaders in the PAS second ehelon, no doubt anchored on Islam, Malaysians of all religious puasuasions should NOT BE AFRAID of any religious suppression if Pakatan Rakyat came to power in Putrajaya, with PAS playing a leading role. These two are of Ministerial material -- I hope they remember Desi to offer me endless rounds of tehtarik-lah!
I tiled the post to include the "Godsend" reference because two days back, the UMNO prez announced Zulkifly Noordin in its lineup, and I said a prayer of Thanks; I whooped with JOY for The BIGGER favour done for us Malaysians all the wise exclusion of Perk'sa chief Kepten Froggie (Desi won't deem him worthy of being named here/hear! as it would pollute my Midnight Voices...) who shouted aloud that if was incredible that UMNO did not name him to stand on BN tiocket but had a place for his lowly deputy instead. Somehow the former PM who advised the froggie to toadie back onto UMNO bandwagon to then stand on BN platform to defend Pasir Mas WAS NOT GIVEN MUCH WEIGHT. I guess we see TWO sunsets every evening at Pasir Pas from now until May 5. Then we will sing: "GOoD Riddance" by the Beetles!
PS of trivia of enough importance for Desi to record. Sdr Khalid has got a brother Sharir who hails from UMNO, left for some time to stand and win Johor Bharu (P) as an Independent; I guess the "integrity" runs in the family, for this UMNO leader is NO ORDINARY LEADER -- HE DARED SPEAK UP EVEN AGAIN HIS PREZ WHEN THAT GUY WAS WRONG, and PAID THE PRICE OF LEAVING THE PARTY ON WHOSE TICKET HE WON JOHOR BHARU (P). Another UMNO leader of similar standing is immediate deputy minsiter Saifuddin Abdllah. Rumopurs until a few days ago he was to be dropped, but some sense still remained with Najib to nominate him again. Well, should Saifuddin decide to change ship, either pAS or PKR would WANT him. Yes, definitely.
I believe the following quote from MarkTwain is worth restating:
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