巫统和伊斯兰党的合作

1.可以预测到的是，来届全国大选举行之前，巫统会支持伊斯兰党在吉兰丹州落实伊斯兰刑事法。非穆斯林只占吉兰丹州人口的5%，因此无论非穆斯林怎样反对都无法产生有作用。落实伊斯兰刑事法是穆斯林领袖的宗教责任，何况巫统支持伊斯兰刑事法，也是讨好伊斯兰党的政治手段。

2.在505大选，华社明显地拒绝了国阵和巫统，许多华裔选民都公开支持伊斯兰党。巫统因此认为，华社和华裔并不会对伊斯兰刑事法感到担忧。而对华裔来说，他们则认为伊斯兰刑事法只关系到穆斯林，对非穆斯林是不会有任何的影响。

3. 505大选后，我们发现巫统和伊斯兰党一直在互相拉拢和互动频频。对这两个政党来说，他们这样做是为了穆斯林的大团结着想，而且这也将能更有效的发扬和捍卫伊斯兰的宗教发展。更加显著的是，在国会寻求通过2016年财政预算案时， 11名伊斯兰党国会议员在表决关键时刻缺席或弃权，最终让预算案在128票支持，74票反对的情况下获得通过。

4.首相在巫统代表大会上，公开地向伊斯兰党表明两党可以合作，问题是两党的合作将会带来怎样的政治影响呢？

首先，这种合作肯定将会改变来届大选，尤其是西马许多国州议席的成绩。在505大选中，巫统赢得88个国会议席和241个州议席，伊斯兰党则赢得21个国会议席和85个州议席。

在全国的222个国会议席和505个州议席之中，巫统和伊斯兰党的国会议席加起来就接近一半，州议席更是接近三分之二。

两个穆斯林政党的合作，这也肯定对整个社会和环境的色彩起变化，在每一个领域都将面对改变的冲击。

在这种情况下，对于国阵里的非穆斯林成员党来说，包括马华和民政党，他们肯定将面对严重的考验。

如果巫统和伊斯兰党合作成功，那也意味着，尤其是在西马各州和中央政府，将会由穆斯林领袖来主导政权。至于国阵的非穆斯林成员党，他们就只能在政治主流的边缘求存。

5.根据国阵的章程，任何的政党要加入国阵，必需获得所有13个成员党的一致同意，才能够成为新的成员党。因此，伊斯兰党要加入国阵，可以说是非常的难。

所以，巫统就只能通过该党本身和伊斯兰党合作，以讨论在大选中如何达致议席分配，以及在大选获胜后如何分享政权。当然，这对巫统和伊斯兰党，都是同样的艰难挑战。

6.无可否认的是，巫统和伊斯兰党的合作，将使他们在大选中更有胜算，特别是在马来选区，对两党都是有利的。

因此也可以预测到，巫统和伊斯兰党将可以很容易的在玻璃市、吉打、吉兰丹、登嘉楼及彭亨执政。

同时这5个州总共有54个国会议席，占了全国222个国会议席的四分之一，这对赢取中央政权是关系重大。

至于在霹雳、雪兰莪、柔佛、森美兰和马六甲，只要国阵的其他成员党，能够赢得几个议席，那么国阵在这些州的胜算是非常高。

而剩下的，就只有行动党可以在槟城继续的称王而已。

7.巫统是不会，也不敢和伊斯兰党联合在中央落实伊斯兰刑事法，这是因为巫统了解到，伊斯兰刑事法将会对全国的气氛和整个社会环境带来严重的后果。

再加上沙巴和砂拉越会强烈的反对伊斯兰刑事法，所以在中央政府实行伊斯兰刑事法是不可能会出现。巫统和国阵是不能忽略沙巴和砂拉越的反弹。

首相目前积极打造的经济转型计划，就是要把马来西亚发展成为一个高收入国家。他绝对不会牺牲他的这个目标，他也不会允许任何的政治举动来影响到这个目标。

首相要把高收入国的目标，成为他留给马来西亚人的“政治遗产”，让国人以后永远缅怀他对马来西亚做出的贡献。

8.过去几年以来，巫统党内的一些保守派领袖，他们不断的强调伊斯兰的宗教价值观。他们的言论有时候甚至比伊斯兰党的领袖更加的伊斯兰化，因此我们也可预见到整个社会的环境将更趋向的伊斯兰化。

9.我们可以达致一个结论，目前的政治局势是对行动党有利，特别是在行动党和伊斯兰党断交后，现在的政治情况是让行动党处于优势。

行动党现在有很好的机会和理由，来攻击马华和国阵的非穆斯林成员党。

行动党更可以挑战马华及国阵的其他成员党，敢敢的反对伊斯兰刑事法，甚至还可以挑战他们和巫统断交。

10. 马来西亚华人为什么会落到今天这样悲哀的处境，这是另一项必须探讨的问题。容我日后再谈。

PRESS STATEMENT BY TAN SRI DR. CHUA SOI LEK ON PAS HUDUD

I predicted before the 505 GE that UMNO State Assemblymen would support PAS in implementing Hudud in Kelantan. This has now become a political reality.  Religion is used as a political tool by all political divide to achieve their political agenda. MCA accused DAP of being impotent to persuade PAS not to implement Hudud. DAP’s agree to disagree with PAS is only a political rhetoric to con the voters.

When it comes to the implementation of Hudud by PAS in Kelantan, UMNO for political expediency and religious responsibility will support PAS. A lot of Chinese political commentators including Chinese press used to mock at me and stated that this is an empty threat and that it will not frighten the Chinese community. Hence, during the 505 GE, there was a significant rise of support for PAS by the Chinese community.  Soon, DAP will accuse MCA of equally impotent to restrain UMNO from rendering support to PAS in implementing Hudud in Kelantan.

The acid test will be when PAS tables the private bill for the implementation of Hudud in the Parliament. Will UMNO support PAS in Parliament? The proposed Private Bill by PAS in Parliament will never be passed through without UMNO MPs’ support. I am confident that Prime Minister who is the President of UMNO and Chairman of BN is fully aware of MCA’s stand with regards to PAS’ Hudud. When I was the President, Prime Minister himself had cautioned me to tone down my attack against PAS Hudud as it may be twisted that MCA is anti-Islam.

Hence, I predict that UMNO MPs will not support PAS’s Private Bill in the Parliament. Somebody in MCA will then go to town to claim credit. However, if UMNO MPs support PAS’ Private Bill in Parliament, MCA cannot continue to ignore the elephant in the room and blame others for supporting PAS Hudud in Kelantan. To continue issuing statement condemning DAP is an exercise of futility. The Malaysian community expects more from MCA and it is time for MCA leadership to rise to the occasion.

PRESS STATEMENT BY DATUK SERI DR. CHUA SOI LEK

I met up with Datuk Husam Musa, the Vice President of PAS. I was accompanied by YB Chua Tee Yong, the MP of Labis and Loh Seng Kok, the Central Committee of MCA. The main issue discussed was about the current political situation in Perak and also about other national issues.

In the discussion, both of us agreed that protracted politicking in Perak issue will not do anybody any good, especially the rakyat. I conveyed to Husam that, if we practice democracy, then if the court decides that Nizar is the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak, then he should convene an emergency state assembly to see whether he enjoys the support of the majority of the state assemblyman. If he fails to command the majority of the state assemblyman, then he should seek an audience with the Sultan to:

1) Resign as the MB and let the party who enjoys the support of the majority of state assemblyman to be the MB or;

2) Dissolve the assembly and call for fresh election with the consent of the Sultan.

However, I pointed out that any party PR or BN forming the state government will not be a stable government, and that if this continues, it will affect not only Perak, but also the whole nation. I also told him maybe at some point in time, there is a need for fresh state election. Meanwhile, there should be some form of cooperation between PR and BN in order to resolve this stalemate.

Beside the Perak issue, we also discussed in general about the political situation in the country. We agree that there is too much politicking presently. The rakyat are tired of politicians. The time has come that we should move forward for the good of the nation and the rakyat. Since Husam and me agreed that some of the sensitive issues we discussed are off the record, then I shall honour the undertaking given. 

Kuala Terengganu By-Election: Controversy of Hudud Law and Its Implications/ 我对瓜登补选的看法

I went campaigning in the Kuala Terengganu by-election on the 8^th January accompanied by YB Chua Tee Yong, the MP for Labis, some MCA, Wanita and Youth members of the Kuala Terengganu division.

Arriving at 8.30a.m. in Kuala Terengganu airport by Firefly, we went for breakfast. After that, we started work.

We covered about 50 shop houses in the city centre. The response was good and I was pleasantly surprised that most of the voters know me by my full name.

A few requested to take photograph with me while some requested for my signature on the New Year greeting card. Of course I have to oblige to their requests. Facial and name recognition seems to help in the walk about.

After lunch, we met up with the Teochew Association of Kuala Terengganu. The Teochews numbered about 80 families in the Kuala Terengganu town.

Most of them are small time businessman. During the dialogue, nothing very much inspired.

However, during teatime interaction, a lot generally acknowledged that if they support PAS, it is because they are not happy with UMNO and not because they subscribe to PAS’ political agenda.

The fact that BN will not lose control at the federal level if it loses the by-election seems to be working to the advantage of the PAS.

I took the opportunity to talk about how voters should exercise their votes wisely and that it should not be swayed by emotion.

During voting, I said that voters should evaluate:

1) The candidate’s party;

2) The quality of the candidate

The party is important. This may explain why very few independent candidates are successful during election.

In this case, we have an UMNO and BN candidate pitted against PAS and PR party.

After the Teochew Association meeting, we went to a medium 4 storey flat. It was a good exercise covering blocks of 4 storeys flat.

Occupants of the 4 floors were surprised to see me when I knock at the door since they assume that they hardly have anyone knocking at the door when they are living on 4^th floor.

During 308 election, people voted for change. We now have 5 PR state government. People have the opportunity to evaluate the performance of the PR government.

The important question is whether PR state has done better than BN state government or not.

Have they implemented what is contained in their manifesto, such as local council election and election for village chief?

PAS talks about welfare state during the 308 election and today it is talking about Hudud law. Even Anwar also supports Hudud law by saying that it is only applicable to Muslims.

Is PAS on an expedition of fishing the Malay votes with Kuala Terengganu by-election in mind where Islam holds a central place in daily lives of average Malay in Terengganu?

Will the Chinese be frightened by Hudud law?

I think we have oversimplified Hudud implementation by talking only about the punitive action of Hudud law.

We tend to talk about restriction of the sale of alcohol and gambling outlet as if this is all about Hudud.

We have failed to talk about the bigger picture of Hudud and its effect in a multiracial country like Malaysia.

Today, there are over 50 countries in the world where Muslims is dominant with Islam as the official religion or they are Islamic statehood.

Strictly speaking, there are only 2 among 50 over countries that practice a more western form of Parliamentary democracy, which is Malaysia and Turkey.

The rest are often autocratic. They may have election about what is beyond our comprehension is that often some of these countries have Islamic Religion Council of which their position and power is way above the Parliament. The council members are appointed members.

It can be noted that most of these countries are not doing well economically despite they are having a lot of oil.

Generally, they are not investor and tourism friendly. Often, people will quote the example of Egypt and South Korea.

35 years ago, Egypt and South Korea have the same capital income. But today, Egypt’s per capital income is not even 20 percent that of South Korea.

Hudud implementation has wide ramification and implications in a multiracial country like Malaysia. It will be a messy job to implement Hudud only among Muslims and leaving the non-Muslims to the civil law.

Presently, we have enough confusion and controversy even with syariah and civil law. It will just add more confusion to what is already a difficult problem to resolve between syariah and civil law in some divorce cases where one of the spouse in converted to Islam.

本月8日，我由拉美士国会议员蔡智勇、以及一些来自瓜拉登嘉楼马华、妇女组和马青同志陪同下，在瓜登展开补选拉票运动。

当天清晨8时30分，我乘着飞萤航机抵至瓜登，用过早餐后就开始工作。

我们拜访市中心约50间店屋，选民反应出奇的好，令我受惊若宠的是大部分选民都认识我，还叫得出我的名字。

一些选民要求与我合照，一些则取出贺年卡要我签名，我当然不会令他们失望。熟悉的名字与脸孔对逐户拜访的确有帮助的。

午膳后，我们会见瓜登潮州会馆的会员。当地约有80个潮州家庭，他们大部分是小商贩。我们在对话交谈中并没有得到太大的启发，然而，在茶点时间的交流中，我发觉他们普遍上都承认，如果他们投选回教党，原因是不喜欢巫统，而非支持贺认同回教党的政治议程。

这里点出一个事实：如果国阵在这场补选失利，并不会影响该联盟持有的中央政权。这样的论点对回教党相当有利，他们也会利用次论调拜票。

我籍此机会向选民解说，他们应该精明地利用选票，万万不可受到情绪的影响左右。

我要求选民在投票时，必须慎重的评估：
1）候选人隶属的政党；
2）候选人的素质。

政党扮演非常重要的角色，这说明了为什么独立人士都不容易在选举中突围而出。因此在这起补选中，我们国阵与巫统候选人事实上是直接对垒回教党和民联候选人。

告別潮州会馆同乡后，我们到访4层楼的组屋，我也乘机好好地运动一番，我向4楼的住家叩门时，住户见到我时感到惊喜，可能是因为他们住在高高的4楼，平日罕有访客吧！

308全国大选时，人民期盼改变。目前有5个州属归民联管辖，人民因此有机会评估民联政府的表现。关鍵问题是，民联政府管理的州属是否比之前的国阵州政府还要好？

民联州政府是否已经履行宣言內容，诸如地方议席选举和村长选举？

回教党在308大选中大事宣传要建立“福利州”的意愿，但今天却不断提到实施断肢法。事实上，安华也是支持断肢法，而且已解释和强调这适用于所有的回教徒。

回教党是否在瓜登补选中企图擄获马来人的选票？他们认为，回教教义占据了瓜登一般马来人的生活。

华人会否畏惧断肢法？

我想，如果我们在讨论断肢法时只是触及它的的刑罚，可能把断肢法的定义简化了。我们只提及禁酒、禁赌，笼统的以为这就是断肢法的一切。其实我们并没有向华社全面性的解释断肢法以及其对马来西亚这个多元种族国家的影响。

今天，全球有50个国家由回教徒支配，这些国家是回教国或立回教为国教。

严格来说，50个国家中只有2国是采纳西方形式或民主议会制度，那就是马来西亚和土耳其。
其他国家则相当专制，他们可能有选举，但远超于我们所认识的。这些国家当中一些是拥有回教理事会，其委员也是被委任的，而他们的权势与位置一般上远远的超越了国会。

值得注意的一点是，这些国家虽然富产石油，经济却都搞得不太好；广泛来说，这些国家都不适宜投资和旅游。

很多人会以埃及和南韩为例来解释以上的论点。35年前，埃及和南韩同属收入均等国家；可是，今天的埃及的总收入却不及南韩的20%。

若要在类似马来西亚这样的多元种族国家实行断肢法，涉及的层面肯定非常广大，更会引起巨大分歧，如果只向回教徒实行断肢法，而非回教徒则奉行民事法侓，这是极其复杂与困难的工作。
目前我们已经对我国的回教法和民事法律有太多的混淆和争议，若再推行断肢法就会让原本已经存在的问题与情况更加的严重！这可从最近一些皈依回教的非马来人在办理离婚申请的案例中看到回教法和民事法侓之间的混淆与冲突，所造成的严重问题！

因此，对这些问题的了解与看法是非常的重要，也对这次的选举有极大的影响。

UMNO and PAS 'Muzakarah'/ 巫统与回教党密商

There’s a lot of talk and speculation about top UMNO leaders meeting PAS leaders on Malay and Muslim unity. Leaders from both political divide can meet from time to time so that there is a better understanding of each other’s position. As a non-Malay and non-Muslim, I am more concerned about how the outcome of such engagement has on the rest of the rakyat who are non Muslim and non Malay and in fact, we have the right to know. The Prime Minister for that matter and PAS national leaders must remember that as national leaders, they must be leaders for all irrespective of race and religion.

I’ve always said that it is difficult in the political arena in Malaysia to work without considering race and religion although there are leaders who claim to be multiracial. As long as Islam is the official religion, Malays enjoy special rights as enshrined in constitution and the Chief of state except Penang must be a Muslim as stipulated in the state constitution, it is difficult for any political party be it Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat to move away from ethnic-based politics. Of course it is popular to be multiracial while on stage but the political reality is otherwise.

Ideally, in the long term, politics should be issue-centered rather than ethno-centric. This will take some time to develop. Although a lot of people may not agree with me, but I’m just stating the political reality in Malaysia that while we slowly move towards issue-centered politics, race and religion will always be the major consideration either from Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. The only difference is that some politicians are good at packaging themselves as very multiracial outlook while others are not so good in doing so.

一直盛传巫统高层领袖和回教党领袖秘密会面，商谈马来人和回教徒的团结。其实两个联盟的领袖可不时会面，以便更了解各自的立场。身为一位非马来人和非回教徒，我比较关注的是这个会面所带给非回教徒和非马来社会的影响。其实，我们有权知道。首相和回教党中央领袖必须牢记，身为国家领导人物，不管人民是来自那一个种族或宗教，他们是全民的领袖。

我常说，虽然有些领袖自称属于多元种族领袖，但在马来西亚政局行事时是很难於不顾虑到种族和宗教因素。只要回教是我国的官方宗教，马来人在宪法里享有特权，以及除了槟州之外，州首长都必须是马来人，那就很难有任何政党可远离以种族为基的政治。当然，在台上以多元化标榜立场较受欢迎及普遍，但政治现实却不是如此。

当然，长期来说，最理想的政治是以课题为中心点，而非着重于种族性质。这需要时间去发展。当我们慢步朝向以课题为基的政治时，民盟或国阵还是优先顾虑种族及宗教因素。虽然很多人不赞同我的看法，但我要指出的是马来西亚政治现实的一面。不同之处，只是有些政治人物很会把自己包装成多元化，而有些在这方面却做得不那么好。