Law professor Abdul Aziz Bari labelled Perlis Mufti Juanda Jaya as “naive” and “ignorant of  political history” for accusing those opposed to a PAS-Umno merger as “betrayers” of Islam.

He contends that it is crucial to understand the history of the previous cooperation between the two parties in the early 70s, which led to the formation of BN in 1974

NONE Abdul Aziz ( right ) related how PAS was then ejected from BN by Umno in 1977 and Kelantan wrested from the Islamic party’s grasp, by the declaration of  an emergency in the east coast state.

History speaks volumes of Umno’s track record in their earnestness about working together with PAS, and its brusque discarding of the Islamic party after the Malay party, like a parasite, had its fill, he said.

The professor also posited that such homogenous mergers weakens the check and balance mechanism and healthy competition which is actually beneficial for the Malays and Islam.

It is this lack of check and balance which he said has led to the delay in implementation of Islamic values and stunts the welfare of the Malays. It would be naive to interpret this otherwise, he added.

“It caused widespread corruption and abuse of power,” said the IIUM lecturer in a statement today.

   

Instead, Abdul Aziz argued that the real “crime” is for anyone to try and stop the two-party structure towards which Malaysian politics is heading.

He alleged that Umno and several leaders in PAS are not too comfotable with the idea of a two-party system which will promote policies and programmes based political discourse, as opposed to one based on race and political scandals favoured and practiced by Umno.

‘Learn the history of Malaysian politics’

As such, he asked Juanda to learn the history of Malaysian politics before he comes out with any statements.

He was responding to the Perlis mufti’s statement as reported by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia yesterday, in which Juanda criticised those who oppose a PAS-Umno merger, calling them traitors to Islam and alleging that they are modern day ‘Khawarij’ who oppose unity.

The Khawarij was a splinter group of Muslims during the reign of Caliphs Usman and Ali, who created discord and disharmony among Muslims by their treacherous behaviour.

dr juanda jaya perlis mufti candidate 081106 Juanda ( left ) argued that unity amongst Muslims is compulsory according to the faith, specifically to ensure the strength of Islam, citing verse 13 of the Asy-Syura chapter of the Quran which urged Muslims to unite and uphold Islam.

However, the mufti later clarified to Malaysiakini that what he meant is not necessarily an actual merger between the two parties but rather cooperation and open dialogue between them.

“Sit at the same table, tone down the political rhetoric and verbal assault and discuss about the interests of the rakyat. Unity does not have to mean one party,” he clarified.

Premier Najib Abdul Razak on April 30 had said that even if PAS would not join Umno and BN, the Islamic party should leave Pakatan Rakyat as fellow component party DAP will never see eye-to-eye with them on Islam.

Najib’s ‘invitation’ was however rebuked by PAS leaders, most sternly by spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Abdul Hadi Awang.

The rejection prompted Juanda’s statement criticising PAS’ arrogance for not wanting to work together with fellow Muslims in Umno.