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KUALA LUMPUR – Kelantan Umno information chief Datuk Zawawi Othman has publicly apologised to Pas for previously referring to several of the party’s leaders as the “three devils”.
The apology was made by Zawawi, who is also Kelantan’s spokesperson, while debating the Umno president’s policy speech at the 2026 Umno General Assembly at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here on Saturday.
“Pas, I apologise. Previously, I called them the ‘three devils’. That was then.
“Now, I extend my hand in the spirit of goodwill… so that we can uphold our religion in our country, and unite our people without denying the rights of other races in this country.
“Let us stand together to defend our religion, race and homeland. Let us stand together,” he said.
Zawawi, who is known for his outspoken criticism, had previously said Umno could not work with Pas as long as the “three devils” remained in the party’s leadership.
The three leaders he referred to were Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Pas election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Pas vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
Zawawi had claimed that the trio earned the label because he considered them to have “evil mouths” or to be particularly harsh in their remarks.
Explaining his decision to apologise, Zawawi said it was made in response to the latest political developments involving the two parties.
In the same speech, he also stressed that Umno had no intention of being hostile towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
However, he said the party was unhappy with what he claimed was Anwar’s tendency to follow the advice of those around him.
“We do not hate you, but we see that you have listened too much to the advisers around you. You have been too compliant with DAP’s demands,” he said.
Zawawi’s remarks come amid renewed political discussion over relations between Umno and Pas, particularly as both parties continue to navigate the shifting political landscape ahead of the next general election.
