Playing into the hands of Barisan

Pakatan Rakyat has totally misread the people's mood and views in its latest confrontation with the Federal Government over 1Malaysia posters in Selangor.


The Pakatan-led Selangor government had banned the usage of the 1Malaysia logo in advertisements and signboards in the State.


1Malaysia, of course, is the concept of racial and religious harmony and cooperation championed by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.


The decision by Selangor Pakatan has not even been well-received by other Pakatan leaders and the entire episode seems to be another case of Pakatan playing into the hands of Barisan Nasional whose leaders are, to be expected, making full use of the opportunity to hammer some more wedges into the Pakatan coalition to prise it apart.


Pakatan Rakyat's leaders, especially those helming Selangor, must realise that at the grass-root level, the people want - desire - racial and religious harmony.


Whether the 1Malaysia concept is a political gimmick or not is immaterial - the fact is the people - of all races and religious beliefs - want to live in peace.


They do not want violent clashes between racial and religious communities, they do not want blood spilt on the streets.


I believe Pakatan Selangor's move to ban the 1Malaysia logo in its state has not gone down well with the people - they view it as irresponsible politicking by Pakatan. They view it as a Pakatan denial of the need for racial/religious harmony.


Such ill-conceived and politically-immature moves surely do not reflect well on a coalition touted to be able to form an alternative government at federal level.


At the rate things are going, Pakatan Rakyat would lose the general election before it is even called.