COMMENT It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. There were two photos which came out in the media during the last few days which are worth at least two thousand words, if not many more.

The first shows Umno president sitting side by side with Abdul Hadi Awang, president of PAS. Although they were together at a rally to condemn the violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar, the picture of Najib Abdul Razak and top Umno leaders sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Barisan’s long time enemy shows clearly that the union of PAS and Umno is only a matter of time.

Not only that but the two parties are working secretly as well as openly together in their joint attempt to kill off the Malay and Islamic opposition.

This marriage of PAS and Umno is no ordinary marriage. It is meant purely for both Najib’s and Hadi’s personal advantage. Both leaders have been guilty of the worst possible mistakes and scandals - Najib on 1MDB and Hadi with hudud.

Both leaders, in the recent past, have hardly shown signs of caring about the plight of the Rohingyas. However, this time round, they have decided that it was important for these two who have never shown any love for each other in the past to shower each other with hugs and kisses.

Both also hope that by getting and staying in bed together for what may turn out to be more than a one night’s stand and which is now propagandised by the official media and Harakah as for the greater glory of Islam - that they can make Malays and Muslims forget all the problems that they have been responsible for, and the mess that they have created - Najib who is making Malaysians suffer from allegedly unprecedented corruption and power abuse; and Hadi in Kelantan who is allegedly making a basket case of the state and engaging in fanning religious division and disunity in the country.

The second picture shows an unprecedented gathering of the opposition leaders at the DAP national convention lately. Included in the photo line-up were the DAP’s leaders together with Dr Mahathir Mohamad of Bersatu, Mohamad Sabu from Amanah and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail from PKR.

The presence of Dr Mahathir especially in the photo has given hope to Malaysians that the old warrior can be the cement that can glue the opposition parties together in what may be the last chance for us to get rid of the chains of Najib and Barisan rule.

I am optimistic that, with the first picture, Malay Muslims will see through the mutual political hypocrisy and bankruptcy of Najib and Hadi. This will include Umno and PAS loyalists who have kept quiet during the Umno and PAS meetings but who are disgusted with their present leadership and will be looking for real change in the next election.

I am also optimistic that with the second picture, the Malaysian electorate will realise that the opposition is finally getting its act together and will go into the next polls as a united front.