COMMENT PAS' recent announcement that it was forming a third bloc or coalition with a non-Muslim political and some NGOs is just further reminder that things are not well with the party.

Once a firebrand political party that successfully challenged Umno's political monopoly of Malays and subsequently emerged as alternative outfit for Malays or Muslims is licking its political wounds.

Wounds inflicted as result of the myopic and misguided views of its leader none other than Hadi Awang.

Once a figure whose political rhetoric sent shivers down the spines of Umno leaders, has been reduced to a political comedian.

The way and manner in which PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is sucking up to Umno would give the impression that he could not have waited for the passing away of late spiritual leader tok guru Nik Abdul Aziz, the former spiritual leader of PAS.

With the demise of Nik Aziz, the way was paved for Hadi or for the matter PAS as whole to seek accommodation with Umno, its one-time arch enemy

Who would have thought that PAS would ever accommodate with Umno?

Burning bridges with non-Malays

But then politics being the art of possible has provided for this, something that was unthinkable even in dreams a decade ago.

What is the down side to this accommodation?

One was the purging of PAS leaders who considered moderates and those who worked well with leaders in the DAP and PKR.

As the opposition coalition scenario changed, DAP and PAS parted their ways.

Even before this rupture, Hadi and Prime Minister Najib Razak had already been warming towards each other.

Although there are no formal ties between PAS and Umno, it would not take a rocket scientist to figure out that both have accommodated well.

PAS’ refusal to criticise Najib over his alleged involvement in financial scandals is testimony that relations are more than superficial.

Accommodation with Umno might bring in some Malay votes, but PAS realizes that it has burnt bridges with non-Malays in the country.

The political divorce between PAS and DAP has not endeared the party to the non-Malays who constitute significant segment of the electorate.

Umno friendship counterproductive

PAS is not monolithic or Stalinist party, there are elements within the party who are not comfortable with Hadi's pleasant overtures to Umno.

Neither are they happy with PAS' considerable restraint from criticising Umno over financial and other scandals.

With the next general elections less than two years to go, a stark reality is looming in the horizon - that friendship with Umno might not be all that productive.

It could be counterproductive insofar as getting the support of the non-Muslims.

Sad to say, MCA, Gerakan and MIC are politically finished in the BN, surviving on the lifeline thrown by Umno.

Furthermore, the existence of token non-Malays, sprinkling of Chinese and Indians, totally cut off from the rest of the non-Muslim population, in PAS' Dewan Perhimpunan (DP) is an affront to the dignity of non-Muslims as a whole.

These non-Muslim elements in DP, considered by PAS as second-class citizens and without voting rights is testimony as how the party treat non-Muslims.

Set to backfire?

Given this political scenario, some elements within PAS have come up with the idea of forming a third coalition where the party will join forces with a non-Malay political party and some NGOS to garner non-Muslim support.

This is feeble attempt of a party that knows nothing but contempt for non-Muslims in the country.

Non-Malays know well that PAS does not give a damn about them or their welfare.

It is so nakedly clear that PAS’ political interests in getting the support of the non-Muslims is the only reason why it wants to form the third coalition.

Sorry to say, the attempt will backfire badly.

The historic trajectory of PAS into political oblivion has been pretty much set in motion. Political opportunism is hardly the way to get out of this trajectory.

P RAMASAMY is Penang deputy chief minister II.