PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub and his PKR counterpart, Chua Jui Meng, agree with Parti Sosialis Rakyat secretary-general S Arutchelvan that the transition of power could be turbulent.
In an interview with FMT last week, Arutchelvan warned Pakatan to be prepared for BN’s refusal to budge from the seat of power.
He said that only the power of the people could ensure the alliance’s takeover of Putrajaya should it win the 13th general election.
“It will not be easy for Pakatan, judging from what BN leaders have been saying,” Salahuddin said.
He cited Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s speech last October at the Umno’s annual general assembly, in which he issued a rallying cry for the defence of Putrajaya “even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost”.
Salahuddin said that he was sure that BN would go all out to keep its grip on federal power, recalling Arutchelvan’s statement that Najib might even use his influence with the armed forces to ensure this.
However, he would not speculate on whether BN would impose martial law. “Let us cross the bridge when we come to it,” he said. “For now, we just hope that the military and police will remain neutral.”
Smooth transition
Chua said many had expressed similar fears in conversations with him.
“The BN hegemony has been around for many years and the coalition thinks it should be perpetual,” he said.
“God forbid that BN should resort to martial law.”
However, he added, BN was not entirely devoid of leaders of good sense and this gave him some hope of a peaceful takeover of the federal government by Pakatan.
“We surely do not want what is happening in the Middle East to happen here,” he said, referring to the current unrest in Syria, Bahrain and Libya.
“I believe there are some good leaders in BN who will assist in a smooth transition of power to prevent damage to our social fabric and economy.”
Academic argument
Meanwhile, MIC publicity chief S Vel Paari accused Arutchelvan of attempting to instil in voters a hatred of BN.
He said that BN had always respected democracy. “We are mature people. Did we not accept the people’s choice when Pakatan took over Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan?”
He said the speculation was in any case academic. He believes BN will win the next election.
“Under Najib’s premiership, the people are swinging back their support to BN. I do not expect Pakatan to pose a threat to us at least for the next 15 years.”
Umno’s Abdul Rahman Dahalan, the Kota Belud MP, was upset by the suggestion that the armed forces would take sides, calling it a “highly irresponsible insinuation”.
He said that the military had always been professional in its conduct. “Even now, amidst some tension in race relations, the military remains neutral.”
He said that he would respect the voters’ decision.
“To say Umno will resort to undemocratic ways to retain power is ridiculous. If that ever happens, I will be the first to speak against it.”
In an interview with FMT last week, Arutchelvan warned Pakatan to be prepared for BN’s refusal to budge from the seat of power.
He said that only the power of the people could ensure the alliance’s takeover of Putrajaya should it win the 13th general election.
“It will not be easy for Pakatan, judging from what BN leaders have been saying,” Salahuddin said.
He cited Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s speech last October at the Umno’s annual general assembly, in which he issued a rallying cry for the defence of Putrajaya “even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost”.
Salahuddin said that he was sure that BN would go all out to keep its grip on federal power, recalling Arutchelvan’s statement that Najib might even use his influence with the armed forces to ensure this.
However, he would not speculate on whether BN would impose martial law. “Let us cross the bridge when we come to it,” he said. “For now, we just hope that the military and police will remain neutral.”
Smooth transition
Chua said many had expressed similar fears in conversations with him.
“The BN hegemony has been around for many years and the coalition thinks it should be perpetual,” he said.
“God forbid that BN should resort to martial law.”
However, he added, BN was not entirely devoid of leaders of good sense and this gave him some hope of a peaceful takeover of the federal government by Pakatan.
“We surely do not want what is happening in the Middle East to happen here,” he said, referring to the current unrest in Syria, Bahrain and Libya.
“I believe there are some good leaders in BN who will assist in a smooth transition of power to prevent damage to our social fabric and economy.”
Academic argument
Meanwhile, MIC publicity chief S Vel Paari accused Arutchelvan of attempting to instil in voters a hatred of BN.
He said that BN had always respected democracy. “We are mature people. Did we not accept the people’s choice when Pakatan took over Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan?”
He said the speculation was in any case academic. He believes BN will win the next election.
“Under Najib’s premiership, the people are swinging back their support to BN. I do not expect Pakatan to pose a threat to us at least for the next 15 years.”
Umno’s Abdul Rahman Dahalan, the Kota Belud MP, was upset by the suggestion that the armed forces would take sides, calling it a “highly irresponsible insinuation”.
He said that the military had always been professional in its conduct. “Even now, amidst some tension in race relations, the military remains neutral.”
He said that he would respect the voters’ decision.
“To say Umno will resort to undemocratic ways to retain power is ridiculous. If that ever happens, I will be the first to speak against it.”
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