Nur Jazlan uses poker to call PKR, Amanah's 'bluff'

If there were a competition for the best political analogies, Umno supreme council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed would win first prize.

His previous post equated politics with the needle pricks during an acupuncture treatment and earned him a piercing rebuke from PKR for suggesting that Pakatan Harapan apologise to Umno for demonising it for decades.

In his latest analysis, Jazlan used “poker” and a raft of other analogies to drive home the importance of Harapan being more receptive to suggestions and reprimands so that differences within the coalition government can be ironed out before the next national polls.

As for PAS hoping to capitalise on the friction between Umno and Harapan, he had an unflattering description - “an expired janda (divorcee), who has married everyone”.

“PAS has gone on honeymoons with DAP and PKR and has a stepchild in the form of Amanah (from this union). Don’t disturb Umno, which wants to go on a honeymoon with the coalition government,” he said.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported PAS division leader Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir as stating that Umno is being abused in its current political marriage unlike when it was in a relationship with the Islamic party.

Big boys table

In the context of a poker game, Jazlan said only the truly skilled and experienced are qualified to sit at the main table.

“For me, only Umno, DAP, and GPS can be equated with professional poker players who know when to bluff, when to raise and when to take risks.

“What about the other parties? Let me be blunt. National politics aside, even in Johor politics, Amanah and PKR lack the qualification to sit at the main political poker table.

“They are more suited to sit at the ‘kuda’ machine or play roulette because they depend on luck and the defeat of their rivals, not the strength of their machinery or strategies,” he added.

Jazlan said it is evident that whenever there is an opportunity, PKR and Amanah demand more seats and positions despite not being the dominant forces in the alliance.

“In reality, they are just passengers fighting for seats on a plane piloted by Umno and DAP,” he added, claiming that both these parties are the most influential.

Although Umno-BN has one fewer federal seat than PKR, Jazlan said it still remains an important factor in the political landscape, whereas DAP commands strong support in urban areas and among non-Malays.

“These two parties are not only influential but also possess the skills and experience which Amanah and PKR don’t,” he added.

The Umno leader said Amanah, on the other hand, behaves like a superpower despite having only eight parliamentary seats.

“To me, Amanah is just a passenger in Harapan or more accurately, a comrade of DAP. Both (Amanah and PKR) depend on luck to remain relevant, like playing roulette, hoping that the ball would land on the right number,” he added.

In coalition’s best interest

The Johor BN deputy chairperson was commenting on the demands for a coalition government in the state if Umno won the Mahkota by-election.

Jazlan, who said his reprimands are in the best interest of the coalition government, added that he does not want the parties to face the next national polls in the same situation, especially when Perikatan Nasional relies on rhetoric and unsavoury labels for its foes, particularly DAP and PKR.

“I wish to remind Harapan that if they are truly sincere in wanting to be with Umno for the 16th general election, this is the time for reflection.

“Umno’s reprimands are for the mutual benefit, not to hurt feelings. It is better to be prepared now than to regret later,” he added.

Jazlan said he does not want to see the parties in the coalition government locking horns over seats in the next election.

“I feel that it is best if this issue is resolved before the next polls if harmony is to be maintained. Do not forget, seats are not a small matter,” he added.

Treat coalition ‘nerve issue’ now

Urging Harapan to accept his views with an “open heart”, Jazlan said this is important if the coalition wants to remain relevant, as working with Umno is the best solution.

“But this partnership must be built on trust and sincerity. If Harapan wants to play tug of war and is not prepared to compromise on important issues such as seat distribution and taking care of the voters, GE16 could become a recurring nightmare,” he cautioned.

Jazlan also claimed that certain quarters in Harapan are concerned about Umno’s revival, fearing that their parties could be sidelined. 

“This has caused nerve issues which can strain the coalition government in GE16. There are still three years to go before the elections. It is best to treat this with acupuncture now to remove all concerns.

“Don’t wait until the end of the term for the coalition government to erase these concerns. Do not worry, God willing, the coalition government is guaranteed halal,” he added.

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