Ramadan: A Time for Thought, Reflection and Pakatan Stirring Up Chaos

It would be wrong to say that politics is put to one side during Ramadan, but in a majority Muslim democracy our political leaders – led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak – make an effort to reflect on positive values as the month of fasting begins.

This year was no exception as he said this week: "The arrival of the Ramadan month is a blessing to all Malaysians because we can enjoy the occasion albeit a progressive and peaceful ambience."

This is a noble sentiment and appropriate for the occasion. So how has Pakatan Rakyat responded?

The agitator-in-chief of PKR's Black 505 rallies, Johari Abdul, has used the start of Ramadan to vow that "bigger and better" rallies are coming to your peaceful civic centre soon. Taking aim the Election Commission he said "we will not stop" until they resign.

Apart from the month of fasting, Johari's call for public protest is ill-timed, given the television images being beamed around the world from Egypt's Tahrir Square.

There, the nation wobbles on the brink of civil war due to a crisis that began as a street protest, and while the plight of these Muslim brothers might be lost on Johari, it isn't lost on Najib.

He said the political situation in some Middle East countries is a reminder of the need for unity.

"When there is a lack of unity, tolerance and understanding, it leads to conflict and disunity, which will in return weaken the Ummah," he warned.

Najib could have been speaking directly to Johari, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and any other members of the 505 bandwagon. Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor certainly was more blunt. Clearly exasperated, like so many others, he resorted to some unlikely language to berate them for inciting chaos.

"We have got s... stirrers now and the Opposition is trying to stir things until the country turns chaotic," he said Wednesday, adding that the kind of civil disobedience so favoured by elements within the Opposition is precisely why we need a replacement for the Emergency Ordinance (EO).

Pakatan Rakyat, and Anwar in particular, have had two good opportunities to put all the negativity behind them in the wake of GE13. The first was the opening of the new Parliament and the second is before them right now – the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

They have deliberately spurned the first opportunity and, unfortunately, they look set to reject the second as well.

Ramadan should bring at least a temporary lull to the political friction in Malaysia. It's a shame that notion is lost on the more resentful and desperate elements of Pakatan Rakyat.