With a lineup that includes several “retired” politicians from Dr Mahathir’s “Proton Saga era”, can Hamzah Zainudin's new political party actually come up with a fresh vision to restore a deeply divided nation?
Recently, political journeyman Saifuddin Abdullah boldly proclaimed that Hamzah Zainudin's new political outfit, Wawasan Negara—of which he is now a part—has been branded a "Malaysian party" to reflect the country's diverse society. He further underlined that it will be anchored to the country's Constitution and Rukun Negara.
Yet, somewhat curiously, just a day earlier, the Indera Mahkota MP had stressed that “reuniting” a fractured Malay community still remains a cornerstone for the party.
So, what is Wawasan's vision mainly about then: To bring all Malaysians under a single roof—or to place Malay unity and interests above all else?
The truth is, non-Malay voters are already exhausted. They feel deeply let down by Anwar Ibrahim's multiracial Madani government, with many having already made up their mind to boycott the ballot boxes the next time around.
So, what makes Hamzah and company think that their new outfit can offer voters something genuinely different from Pakatan Harapan?
Indeed, if Wawasan is truly a "Malaysian party," why can't it just focus on uniting all Malaysians?
Moreover, aren't there already a bucketful of Malay-based parties in this country, all vowing to do the same thing—unite the Malays—but ending up dividing them more?
Ironically, even Dr. Mahathir, the so-called “messiah” of Malay unity, seemed to have thrown in the towel after failing to achieve that elusive dream—falling short just like he did with his own Wawasan 2020 goal.
But what exactly is "Malay unity" anyway?
Just another cryptic political mantra invoked by politicians to spook the Malay-Muslim community into thinking they are under siege in their own land—just to get them to rally under a “chosen” leader?
Or perhaps it is some kind of "political nirvana" that certain Malay leaders invoke whenever they want to regain their lost power while trying to keep the Ketuanan (racial supremacy) narrative alive.
The thing is, it is still possible to unite a small community. But with Malay-Muslims forming the largest ethnic bloc in the country, isn't it foolhardy to even think of achieving such an unrealistic goal?
The harsh reality is that, even within the Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, this so-called unity didn't last long. Look at how PAS literally dumped Muhyiddin Yassin's Bersatu, leaving its own Malay-Muslim brothers completely in the lurch!
Moreover, aren't the Malays in this country already “united” under their common religion, Islam?
Whatever it is, pitching Wawasan Negara as an inclusive political option to a deeply frustrated non-Malay community is never going to be a walk in the park.
To compound matters, Hamzah had openly acknowledged at an earlier “Reset” convention that even the party's very name was the brainchild of PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang.
And since it has been proudly packaged and marketed as “PAS-certified,” won't it in all likelihood end up complementing the latter's broader agenda?
Now, for most non-Malay voters, wouldn't that be the ultimate put-off?
It is also bound to spark another question: is the new party merely a tactical ploy to fish for some non-Malay votes on behalf of the Islamist party—while at the same time acting as political spoilers to split the vote?
One notable feature that wouldn't have escaped the scrutiny of keen observers is the composition of this newly-minted party, with vocal former Federal Minister Rais Yatim and ex-Melaka Chief Minister Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik reportedly holding top positions in the new outfit.
Check out the roll of honour below:
Meanwhile, others holding important positions in the party are Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal—both controversial younger figures who are often associated with PN’s trademark fiery, ethno-nationalist rhetoric.
Crucially, didn't some of the old faces here also feature in the notorious 2020 “Sheraton Move” that led to the collapse of the democratically elected multiracial Pakatan Harapan government?
The thing is, non-Malays have already been bitten too many times before and have had enough of the fake charm offensives by slick, conniving politicians.
Hamzah and company may pitch their "Malaysian party" brand like any ambitious trader setting up a new stall in a pasar malam. But will non-Malays buy it, when they have already tasted, and been badly burned by, the same product before?
Finally, given all the recent hype over the Reset movement, there may have been a genuine glimmer of hope among many neutrals that perhaps Hamzah would bring something fresh to the table, something along the lines of Rafizi's Bersama party.
Instead, what critics will question now is: Can a “proxy party” for PAS—with aging politicians from another era—be counted on to come up with a brand new wawasan (vision) for the nation's future generations?
Main information source: Malaysiakini and FMT.
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