YOURSAY ‘After all M'sia is owned by M’sians, for all M’sians, of all M’sians.’
Coming Soon: New Islamist party for all
Justine:
Good. This will be another truly Malaysian party. Although it is based on the principles of a religion, it is open to all Malaysians. Otherwise, it has no place in a progressive 21st century Malaysia. All the other race-based political parties should reform themselves, if they wish to progress.
Perhaps MCA should change its name to Malaysian Confucianist Action Party - a political party based on Confucian principles open to all Malaysians. How about MIC renaming itself as Malaysian Independence Congress and be a party that emphasises Malaysian independence from foreign powers, real or imaginary?
As for Umno Baru, it is easy - just change "Malay" to "Malaysian" and you get back Umno without the Baru. After nearly 60 years of independence, it is time for Malaysians to be united to face the challenges of the 21st century. If we are not united, who knows - Malaysia may one day disappear as a nation.
Anonymous_1423808262: Khalid Samad, please set up the party as soon as possible. I would apply to be a party member if the new Islamist party is inclusive, progressive and multi-racial.
It must be free of both racial and religious bigotry and work for a modern Malaysia, with good universal Islamic ideals as its underpinning principle.
Pemerhati: In the 2013 elections, the Pakatan formula worked well as it managed to garner about 51 percent of the popular vote compared to BN’s 47 percent.
Now if the conservative or the ‘hudud’ PAS is replaced with a more progressive Islamic party in Pakatan, it will have to fight very hard to get the votes of the conservative Malays in the rural areas who have in the past, mainly supported Umno or PAS.
If the Malays in the rural areas get sufficiently disgusted with the corrupt ways of Umno, the GST, and the incompetence in governance shown by PAS in Kedah, and its obsession with chopping off the limbs of Muslims, then perhaps the rural conservative and religious Malays might decide to give the new progressive and pragmatic party a try, especially if the word Islam, is in the party’s name.
Asitis: Just make sure that in the constitution of this new Islamist party, there is a safeguard against the party being taken over in the future by religious extremists, so that it will remain always in the hands of the progressive moderates.
Frankly speaking, I feel politics and religion should be separated. But we have to accept that this is not the political reality in Malaysia at the moment.
So while I respect the right of people to set up a religious political party, I hope that the party remains in the control of the moderates. There must be in place such a safeguard against fanaticism and extremism.
Dalvik: Erm. ..if it is opened to non-Muslims, please do not brand it as 'new Islamist party'. Please call a spade, a spade.
Headhunter: I think this is a very positive move. If successful, meaning that if non-Muslims join it in significant numbers, it will change our political landscape for the better.
Non-Muslims are not against Islam per se. One hates to say this but it's always the Muslims themselves who give their religion a bad name. There are also bad Christians, Buddhists, Hindus etc, who give their religions a bad name too. The new group can showcase the good side of their religion as it should be practiced.
Appum: If the new party is a new version of PAS, totally formed based on a religion, for a religious objective only, then I and many people will not support it in Pakatan 2.0.
If it is a multi-racial party, secular in nature, but use Islamic principles or guidelines to follow its path, then it is worthy of support from the non-Muslims. In other words it must not be known as an Islamic party by branding.
Why do I take such a stand? DAP and PKR are multi-racial in nature and they fight not Islam but for justice, against corruption, cronyism, the independence and separation of the executive and legislative clearly, inclusiveness in all aspects of governance, needs based policies, freedom of religious practice and beliefs, people orientated policies, meritocracy, and so on.
The trend today is towards multi-racial and multi-cultural communities. No one race owns this country, it is owned by all Malaysians, for all Malaysians and of all Malaysians.
Umno/ BN is basically a race-based coalition. They are not going to be accepted by the new educated Malaysians soon.
In fact if there is a change in government,. I would like to see the banning of race and religion based parties in the country. These kinds of political parties damage, and hinder the proper development of the country.
Malaysians should grow out of their race and religious dichotomies and grow up and live like Malaysians equally. No one race should be left behind in any progress of this nation. No one should use their race or religion to be the basis of rights and privileges.
Citizenship is equal in status in all aspects of recognition. History of this nation shall be equally, objectively documented and appreciated. We have made so many mistakes in the last 57 years by racial profiling and race based politics. It is high time we rid ourselves of such notions.
So PasMa, we do not want a regressive party to be newly formed, we want a free, secular and progressive one.
Wsoi: Many would have given up hope on BN by now. Now is the right timing for an emerging political group able to provide comprehensive strategies on nation building. We want to see the blueprints on your published written policies spelling out all the ways and means to achieve the intended goals.
Make it all clear and transparent so that its implementation, enforcement and control are held by every citizen in the country. Block all the chances for corruption, bias, and incompetence once and for all.
Doc: I got to admit; all this "Akan Datang" party baru talk by the G18 is so very exciting. It sounds like a summer movie blockbuster promo going on. Hope the final product does not disappoint.
Fair Play: All mainstream religions embrace universal and fundamental values. So, it shouldn't be a problem for all-inclusive Malaysians.
Desperate for Change: I am glad PasMa is the alternative for PAS. I will vote for them instead of PAS as they will be more sensible than PAS, I will join them as their party is religion- based compared to DAP and PKR. Religion and politics should be mixed.
Np: I believe that the fundamental good values of Islam are universal for all. With the correct Muslim leaders, we will see this country being transformed to be a better and more progressive one that can be accepted by all. G18 are certainly the right leaders who can do this job.
SelangorKu: Khalid - where's the application form? As long as G18 subscribes to an inclusive Islam based on universal values that will attract even non-Muslims, we have a deal here.
Anonymous_1371508752: PIP will be a good name - Progressive Islamic Party or Parti Islam Progresif.
Potato chips: I would like to join G18 as soon as you all are set up, based on your principles outlined. I am a non-Muslim.
Tok Karut: G18 hopefully will have done its homework on Islamist parties and how they are faring in emerging democracies in North Africa, Turkey and Egypt.
Amateur: Best is not to use ‘Islamic’. The simple reason is it's a phobia in the world community. Here PAS under Abdul Hadi Awang has upset many, except those in BN. In the Middle East, the reputation of being an Islamic state has been badly damaged by the cruelties of IS (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
Mohican: I am a Christian and I have no qualms in joining your party because you may be Muslim but our battle is the same - against the corrupt, the thieves and plunderers of our country who are out to bankrupt this glorious nation of ours which is God-given with sufficient resources and materials for everybody but the greedy.
Prushothman: The PAS moderate professionals with Islamic principles will serve this country better and we need you. We admire you guys. Please make our country a better place. Present PAS headed by ulama is doomed.
Anonymous #70881335: Better still, have a party manifesto, and stick with it. Make sure it includes, respect for all religions and races, but also acknowledging the special position of Malays and other bumiputera, and Islam. To each, an opportunity. From each, their loyalty and love of the country.
Wee Khen Peng: Just do not understand why must another party be formed based on Islamic principles. Another PAS in the making? Are not PKR and DAP principled enough?
Senior: I'm agnostic - is there room for me?
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