KUALA LUMPUR – PAS is not sincere in its offer to revive Muafakat Nasional (MN) with Umno, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today.
The Umno president said it was PAS which had withdrawn from MN, the political pact the two parties forged in 2018 after the Umno-led Barisan Nasional lost in the general elections for the first time in six decades.
“I don’t believe their offer is sincere. We doubt their sincerity as it was PAS and not Umno that withdrew from MN.
“They went against our agreement, which feels like a betrayal,” Zahid said in Cyberjaya today, Bernama reported.
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, was commenting on a recent offer by PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Hashim Jasin who said collaboration between the Islamist party and Umno could be revived through MN.
Hashim was reported as saying by Sinar Harian that many still believed that MN is not dead and wanted it to continue.
He said although MN no longer held official meetings, “informally, there have been efforts at all leadership levels” to revive the pact.
PAS is hoping to revive MN with Umno following various issues recently that concern the sensitivities of Malay Muslims, Hashim added.
PAS is currently the stronger part of the opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional – while its partner Bersatu is grappling with the switch in support to the ruling government by six of its MPs.
Additionally, Bersatu leaders, president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan are also facing corruption trials. – February 25, 2024