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UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi has firmly rejected PAS' persistent efforts to revive the Muafakat Nasional (MN) pact between the two parties, stating that UMNO has decisively closed the chapter on the matter.
Puad criticized PAS for attempting to sow division within the unity government by reigniting discussions on MN, emphasizing UMNO's strong opposition to any notion of rekindling ties with PAS.
MN was initially formed in September 2019 when both parties were in the opposition bloc following Pakatan Harapan's (PH) victory in the 14th General Election in May 2018.
Puad asserted that UMNO is satisfied with its current status within the government and has a clear understanding of PAS' stance.
He also pointed out instances where UMNO's positions in the unity government have led to policy changes, citing the example of opposing proposals like Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming's suggestion to nominate Chinese New Villages in Selangor as a UNESCO world heritage site.
"When UMNO opposed (the proposal), it was abandoned (by Nga). If PAS were in UMNO's position (as part of the government), they would surely remain silent and just play along," Puad was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.
Puad emphasized that there will be no further discussion to revive MN, stating that UMNO has closed the book on the matter. He accused PAS of making such claims to undermine the unity government and suggested that if PAS is serious about cooperating with UMNO, they should join the unity government.
On the other hand, PAS' senior leader Datuk Hashim Jasin expressed confidence in informal talks between leaders of both parties to revive MN, citing ongoing efforts at various levels within both party leaderships.
"Many still believe that MN is not dead yet and want to continue with the cooperation," Hashim said.
He pointed to recent issues affecting Malay-Muslim sensitivities, such as the Federal Court's striking down of provisions in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 and Nga's proposal on Chinese New Villages, as reasons driving the need for cooperation.
"As a result of various issues touching on the sensitivities of Malay-Muslims lately, I can see some UMNO leaders being aware (on the need for MN)," Hashim was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
Relations between PAS and UMNO have been strained since PAS joined Perikatan Nasional (PN) with Bersatu. Previous disagreements over including Bersatu in MN exacerbated tensions between the two parties, leading to accusations of neglecting the MN charter.
The strained relations between PAS and UMNO stem from PAS' decision to join Perikatan Nasional (PN) with Bersatu, a move that was met with disapproval from UMNO. The inclusion of Bersatu in the MN pact was a point of contention, as UMNO viewed it as a violation of the MN charter, which originally comprised only UMNO and PAS.
Despite UMNO's firm stance against reviving the MN pact, PAS remains hopeful and continues to engage in informal talks to revive the cooperation. PAS believes that MN is still relevant, especially in light of recent issues affecting Malay-Muslim sensitivities.
The differing views between UMNO and PAS on the revival of MN reflect deeper divisions within the Malay-Muslim political landscape in Malaysia. While UMNO is focused on maintaining its position within the unity government and is wary of PAS' intentions, PAS sees the revival of MN as crucial for advancing Malay-Muslim interests.
The future of MN and the relationship between PAS and UMNO remain uncertain, with both parties holding firm to their respective positions. However, the stability of the unity government and the broader Malay-Muslim political alliance could be impacted by the outcome of these deliberations.
The future of the Muafakat Nasional (MN) pact and the relationship between PAS and UMNO remain uncertain, with both parties holding firm to their respective positions. The stability of the unity government and the broader Malay-Muslim political alliance could be impacted by the outcome of these deliberations.
The differences between PAS and UMNO over the revival of MN highlight the complexities of coalition politics in Malaysia. While both parties share a common goal of advancing Malay-Muslim interests, they diverge on the strategies and alliances needed to achieve this goal.
UMNO's reluctance to revive MN may be influenced by its desire to maintain its position within the unity government and its skepticism of PAS' intentions. On the other hand, PAS sees the revival of MN as crucial for advancing Malay-Muslim interests and believes that the pact is still relevant in addressing recent issues affecting the community.
The ongoing discussions and tensions between PAS and UMNO underscore the challenges of coalition building and governance in Malaysia's multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. The outcome of these deliberations will not only shape the future of MN but also have broader implications for the country's political landscape.
The ongoing discussions and tensions between PAS and UMNO underscore the challenges of coalition building and governance in Malaysia's multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. The outcome of these deliberations will not only shape the future of MN but also have broader implications for the country's political landscape.
The stability of the unity government, which includes both PAS and UMNO, relies on the ability of these parties to reconcile their differences and work towards common goals. The revival of MN could potentially strengthen the unity government by solidifying the alliance between PAS and UMNO. However, if disagreements persist, it could lead to further instability and even a breakdown of the coalition.
The broader Malay-Muslim political alliance, which includes other parties besides PAS and UMNO, could also be affected by the outcome of the discussions. The ability of these parties to cooperate and form a united front is essential for advancing Malay-Muslim interests in Malaysian politics.
Ultimately, the future of MN and the relationship between PAS and UMNO will depend on the willingness of both parties to compromise and find common ground. In a political landscape characterized by competing interests and ideologies, finding such common ground may prove challenging but is crucial for the stability and prosperity of Malaysia.
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