The bedfellows politics made are never strange. It only seems that way to those who have not watched the courtship.
– Marcel Achard, French playwright
This poser is interesting enough to google. Not new though but always worth understanding with clarity.
What is the meaning of the phrase, “Politics makes for strange bedfellows?”
In The Tempest, Shakespeare wrote, “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” In recent years, that phrase has been reworded to “Politics makes strange bedfellows.”
The literal meaning of the quote is that people with nothing in common may come together solely because of shared political interests.
This sums up best the relationship between Umno and DAP, two long-time adversaries, who came together to help establish the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Who would have thought that a tie-up between Umno and DAP was ever possible? But it did happen, perhaps for good and noble reasons. Well, many prefer to think of it that way.
At least, we know that the two parties were prepared and willing to put the past behind for the sake of political stability and at the behest of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who wanted to see a unity government in place, soon after the 15th general election in November last year.
If it was “Loyalty to king and country”, a Rukun Negara tenet, which brought Umno and DAP together, then the objective has to be considered noble, genuine and sincere.
Nine months into the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition government, it is indeed great to note that there are more positive vibes now in the working relationship among the parties.
Lest we forget, it must be pointed out again that Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani government also comprises the Borneo bloc of GPS of Sarawak and GRS of Sabah. Without the support of Sabah and Sarawak, this unity government would not have been possible.
Above all, it is most heartening that we are now seeing better ties between two of the strangest bedfellows in the coalition, Umno and DAP. Senior leaders from both parties have warmed up to each other, if recent events are any indication.
Last Sunday, Umno made its first-ever appearance at a DAP convention with its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi leading the party’s delegation.
The Umno chief arrived at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, the convention’s venue, with party secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.
They were welcomed with thunderous applause from the DAP delegates and members. Zahid was said to have told his people later that he did not expect such a warm welcome, something which would have been unimaginable just nine months ago.
DAP leaders, led by secretary-general Anthony Loke, were on hand to welcome the deputy prime minister from Umno who was also the guest-of-honour at the event.
In June, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Loke were guests at the Umno general assembly. The Pakatan Harapan chairman attended the event for the first time in 25 years, while Loke was the first DAP leader to be extended an invite by Umno.
Also in May, the DAP secretary-general attended the Unity Government Convention which was held at the Umno’s headquarters at Putra World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Making his maiden speech at the convention, Loke said he could never have imagined that one day, he would be addressing Umno members at the rostrum of their famous party headquarters.
He described the day’s gathering as making political history with parties representing all majority and minority races, ethnic groups and religions, from all the states as well as Sabah and Sarawak regions.
Last Sunday, Zahid expressed his gratitude to the DAP for the reverence accorded to him as the deputy prime minister and for inviting Umno leaders to their convention.
Speaking as the DPM, he expressed satisfaction with the close working ties among cabinet members from all coalition parties.
As loyal Malaysians, all of us would want to see political stability in the country too. We have gone through almost three years of nerve-wrecking political turmoil which had seriously damaged the nation’s soul. Enough of the unending bickering and mudslinging!
We want to see the nation move forward towards greater progress and prosperity and for that to happen, the coalition partners in the unity government must work together as a strong, cohesive and responsible unit.
As the prime minister has often said: “The Madani spirit must be imbued in one and all, in the leadership and the people, for Malaysia to succeed as a happy, united and progressive nation”.
I believe the majority of Malaysians can agree with the prime minister as they stand solidly behind the unity government today.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
