PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is not giving up on reviving the Muafakat Nasional (MN) coalition, but with one significant condition: Umno President Dato' Sri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi cannot be part of the deal. According to Hadi, PAS has been in talks with certain Umno leaders about reuniting under the MN banner excluding Zahid. This move is aimed at bringing together Malay Muslim leaders and Bumiputera representatives, as the original agreement of MN was focused on uniting these groups.
The latest revelation came during the 70th PAS Muktamar in Temerloh, Pahang, where Hadi clarified his position on MN's revival. He emphasized that the "true" MN should not include Umno leaders like Zahid, who are seen as obstacles to the unity PAS seeks with other Malay-Muslim parties, including Bersatu. “We agreed to assemble Bumiputera MPs to explore forming a government with Bersatu, excluding Zahid,” Hadi told reporters, hinting at deeper political negotiations.
The Birth and Decline of Muafakat Nasional
Muafakat Nasional was originally formed in 2019 between PAS and Umno, with the goal of consolidating the Malay-Muslim vote. However, the alliance fell apart when PAS decided to align with Bersatu, a move that Umno interpreted as a betrayal. Despite this collapse, Hadi remains optimistic about reviving MN under different terms. PAS is committed to bringing together Malay-Bumiputera leaders and non-extremist non-Muslims who share moderate values.
The talks surrounding MN reflect ongoing efforts to solidify a political front that can counter Pakatan Harapan (PH) and other opposition coalitions. Notably, PAS continues to stand firm in rejecting any cooperation with PH, with Hadi reiterating that PAS remains committed to its partnership with Perikatan Nasional (PN).
PAS Stays Loyal to Perikatan Nasional
In his speech, Hadi confirmed that PAS will not consider working with Pakatan Harapan, a coalition that once included PAS during the days of the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat. Instead, PAS is committed to remaining with Perikatan Nasional, firmly supporting its allies, including Bersatu and other coalition members. This stance further highlights the ideological and political differences that separate PAS from the PH coalition.
Denial of Boycott Rumors and Distancing from Controversial Links
In the same breath, Hadi also addressed rumors of PAS boycotting the Mahkota by-election. According to PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, there will be no boycott, and PAS is fully supporting Bersatu’s candidate Haizan Jaafar for the by-election. Hadi reaffirmed that PAS has instructed its machinery to be active in the campaign.
On a separate issue, Hadi distanced PAS from Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding (GISBH), a company currently under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct and child abuse in its welfare homes. Hadi stressed that the group has no ties to PAS, refuting a recent international media report linking the two entities as “fake news.”
Hadi’s Long Game: An Islamic Leadership Vision
Hadi’s overarching message remains clear: PAS will not stray from its core goal of establishing Islamic leadership in Malaysia, with a strong focus on uniting Malay Muslims. In his speech, Hadi underscored the importance of aligning with those who accept Islam as a solution to national issues, while firmly rejecting those who harbor hidden agendas.
As PAS continues its quest for political dominance, the party’s refusal to work with certain Umno figures and its firm stance against Pakatan Harapan reflect its broader vision of solidifying an Islamic political bloc. Hadi’s strategic moves within PAS and his vision for reviving Muafakat Nasional indicate that the party is playing the long game in shaping Malaysia’s political future. Whether or not Umno will take the bait without Zahid remains to be seen.
By: Kpost
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