MUHD TAIB: UMNO-PAS TALKS TO CONTINUE - MALAYSIAKINI

MALAYSIAKINI headlined "Muhd Taib: Umno-PAS talks to continue ". Malaysiakini reported that the Umno information chief reveals that the dialogues will only be confined to issues pertaining to Islam.

This is another smoke screen of deception by Umno to deceive the Rakyat, Pakatan Rakyat and PAS members in particular. After the fallout from it's aborted Muzakarah (dialogue) with rogue elements within PAS (read Apabila Timbalan Presiden PAS bercakap Umno is now changing it's strategy to say that their muzakarah with PAS will only touch on Islam.

How can you believe someone who once self proclaimed himself as the leader of the Malays the world over? How can you believe someone who was forced to resign as Selangor Mentri Besar in April 1997 after he was charged in Australia over currency irregularities amounting to RM3.8mil. However, he was later found not guilty on a technicality by claiming 'I don't know how to read English' to escape the Australian law. Muhammad's credibility as a leader and a politician is further in doubt when you read this Raja Petra Respons
In short, Muhammad's motives in saying that talks with PAS will continue albeit on religion only can be summed up by the Malay proverb "ada udang disebalik batu" (there's an ulterior motive). Muhammad was brought in into the Cabinet by PM Badawi to shore up and maintain the 50% rural Malay electorate that was instrumental in maintaining BN/Umno's grip on power. Anything that deals with Muslim unity will definitely go down well with the rural Malay population. On the the other hand, the non Malays now can't complain about any future UMNO-PAS 'dialogue' on Islam because they can be accused of interfering in Islam.

Even though everyone is correct in talking about the political chess being played by Khairy Jamaluddin and Mukhriz Mahathir in their endeavor to slither their way up the political ladder, this Scribe is also keeping an eye on two very ambitious power brokers from Umno. They are Rahim Thamby Chik and Shahrir Samad. Just like Muhammad, Thamby Chik also wriggled his way out from the arms of the law from of a rape conviction involving a 15 year old girl due the dubious circumstances that saw current Penang CM, Lim Guan Eng going to jail instead, for standing up for the victim. Thamby Chik may have shaved his goatee, but the Rakyat have not forgotten him.

Shahrir on the other hand comes to the Scribe as a dangerous, conniving individual. Shahrir's 'Mr. Clean' look and smiling face must never be underestimated. This guy sure knows how to manage his Public Relations better than Muhammad or Thamby Chik. This Scribe has the gut feeling that Shahrir is up to no good. Only time will tell.

-MarGeeMar