Five Decades of Cooperation in BN Proven Strong in Nation's Multiracial Politics

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The history of cooperation in National Front (Barisan Nasional-BN) over five decades has proven to be strong in the nation's multiracial political framework compared to the opposition pact, Pakatan Rakyat, which only emerged after the 12th general election in 2008, said a political analyst. Assoc Prof Dr Samsul Adabi Mamat from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) said the opposition group which did not include any political party from Sabah and Sarawak, was still loose as it was not a structured organisation. "A good track record and long experience of working together for consensus, and tested, are not possessed by BN's rival parties. History has also shown that cooperation among the rival parties have not lasted. "Such cooperation was only forged in the run-up to the elections, with such pacts as Gagasan Rakyat and Alternatif Front (BA) emerging. The Ummah's Unity Forces (APU) which ruled Kelantan lasted only one term." Samsul Adabi said this in his working paper titled, 'The Importance of the Muslim Community's Political Strength in the Context of a Plural Society in Malaysia: An Analysis', here, Monday. He was among the working paper presenters at the seminar on 'Political Dilemma of Muslims in Malaysia: Understanding Current Realities and Challenges', organised by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim), here, Monday. Samsul Adabi said the absence of a dominant party in the opposition group resulted in no party heading the group, making it difficult for unity to be forged among the partners. "As for BN, solidarity among the component parties is not just in sharing power but in giving real impact on Malaysia's plural society, enabling it to gain continued public trust in governing the country. "This record has been unmatched by loose coalitions of other parties. Clearly, the consensus in BN is in line with the social contract made at the formation of the nation. "It has made BN remain dominant in Malaysian politics. "And not many countries which achieved independence around the same time as Malaysia did or earlier, have today achieved the level of development as Malaysia has through its system of democracy," he said. -- BERNAMA