FORMER US Senator Joseph McCarthy became infamous for his wild allegations against communists, socialists and anarchists in the country during the 1950s.
His popularity was, in part, due to the conservative support he received from Americans who were afraid of progressive reforms in the country after World War 2.
Subsequently, it was found that his allegations of subversion, terrorism and anarchism attributed to communists had no basis whatsoever.
I don’t think Malaysia is in the midst of the McCarthy era, despite PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang having raised the spectre of communism recently.
Hadi, out of political desperation, labelled DAP members as communists and associated them with those who brought the ashes of Malayan Communist Party leader Chin Peng to Malaysia and attendees of communist-related functions in the country.
He also warned that the communists don’t believe in God and their influence and activities must be checked, and further claimed that they are more dangerous than Christians and Jews.
If there is a systematic witch hunt against the communists in the country, then there is a need to be concerned.
Hadi can be a dangerous man under different political circumstances. But since there are no takers of his political mumbo jumbo, there is no need to worry for now.
Even the extreme Malay chauvinists in Bersatu, UMNO or even Pejuang might find Hadi’s attack against the DAP to be extremely far-fetched, to the extent of absurdity.
It is not that Hadi cannot differentiate between social democrats, socialists and hardcore communists. But if he can’t, then he needs lessons in basic political science.
Hadi, by the way, is a political opportunist par excellence. When it comes to politics and ascension to power, politics is for him the art of possibility.
Principles don’t matter to him
Once PAS collaborated with DAP in Pakatan Rakyat before both parted ways.
Once UMNO was PAS’ sworn enemy but political circumstances allowed them to cooperate, connive and undermine the legitimate Pakatan Harapan Government.
Once PAS was a cosy partner of Bersatu in Perikatan Nasional (PN). However, by being too cosy with Bersatu, it distanced itself from UMNO.
In facing the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15), PAS has gone back to its old ways by labelling UMNO as the party of infidels and corrupted politicians.
Hadi, given his selective amnesia, conveniently forgets that there are serious allegations that the party received about RM90 mil from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, ostensibly from the stolen 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds.
This is the sole reason why PAS lost the case against the Sarawak Report editor in the UK a few years ago.
How much PAS paid for the settlement of the case remains a mystery.
Hadi is running berserk because he is convinced that the party is going to lose badly in GE15. After all, PAS’ support base is gradually dwindling among the educated Malays who are aware of the hypocrisy of the party and leaders like Hadi.
And while only the conservative Malays will continue to support PAS, even for this the days are numbered.
Hadi wants to discredit the opposition in general and the DAP in particular; the non-Malay or non-Muslim DAP cannot be tolerated by the bigot and racist Hadi.
Maybe if he has evidence that the DAP is a communist party, then such evidence should be presented to the authorities concerned. But why wait and constantly talk rubbish?
I think Hadi is a bit late in Malaysian politics. Maybe he should have emerged in the era of the Red Scare in the 1950s and 1960s.
Anyway, the grounds are not fertile for a McCarthy type of political era in the country.
Rather than constantly taking political rubbish, Hadi should focus his attention on gaining support from the Malay Muslims.
He should realise that addressing the serious socio-economy of the Malay Muslims is as significant as the promised land. – Oct 20, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Reddit
