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KUALA LUMPUR – Threats to the Muafakat Nasional political cooperation are due to a few personal agendas that were made public, ruining the policies and direction agreed upon earlier, said PAS chief Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
While he did not mention any names or parties in his Minda Presiden column, he said the Islamist party was steadfast in upholding what was agreed upon in writing.
He added that PAS remains adamant to not continue hostilities and “hiding sins” without repentance.
“PAS also does not turn a blind eye to wrongdoings such as corruption, money politics, greed for positions, misconduct and mismanagement.”
Hadi said that while this caused the party to lose seats and even be kicked out of state and federal governments, his party is not out of the race yet.
“PAS will not collapse just because of the defeats in several elections. Our journey is not done and we have not reached the finish line.
“PAS is not lost even after the death of a leader as its members are not weak.”
In October 2020, Umno and PAS agreed to have Muafakat Nasional registered as an official political entity, reiterating their vow to cooperate in the next general election.
However, ties between the two have deteriorated, with Hadi last November rejecting the Muafakat Nasional that was “shackled” only by PAS and Umno, which sidelines Malaysia’s plural society, and saying that it was better represented by a bigger coalition such as Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He said this after not being able to secure one seat in the Melaka polls.
“After the 2018 general election, we need a reform as Barisan Nasional (BN) is diseased. The change started with the formation of the incomplete Muafakat Nasional, which now needs to be made whole with PN.
“We also need to be rid of those who still hold fast to the mindsets of their ‘colonial masters’ as they are seen as ‘pests’ in Keluarga Malaysia,” he said in a Facebook post.
He added that PAS will only accept an MN that is completed without conflict with the larger unity agenda via PN.
While certain state chapters of the two parties are still open to working together, Pasir Puteh Umno chief Datuk Zawawi Othman reasoned that possible future cooperation between the two can only happen once leaders who have “bad mouthed” Umno are out of the picture.
The names mentioned included Hadi, Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz – son of former PAS leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat – and Kedah PAS deputy commissioner Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
“If PAS were to reject these leaders, then we (Umno) can accept the party and hold proper discussions, but as long as these individuals are around, then we should stick to ourselves and let them go about their business,” Zawawi told delegates during the Umno general assembly earlier this month.
“It is not that we reject the party itself, but we are against PAS leaders who run their mouths and do not have a stand in any one matter.” – The Vibes, March 27, 2022