KUALA LUMPUR — The ‘payung besar’ (big umbrella) concept mooted by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is vague and unlikely to succeed in uniting the Malay-Muslim community, especially following its immediate rejection by Umno, said PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin.
Speaking to Scoop, Hashim said the initiative has only attracted support from a handful of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and has not garnered meaningful backing from the wider Malay-Muslim public.
He also questioned the strength of support for Dr Mahathir’s proposal compared to PAS’s long-standing efforts under the Muafakat Nasional (MN) platform.
“PAS has already made efforts and has a foundation for unity through Muafakat Nasional, in cooperation with Umno previously.
“Since Tun Mahathir’s intention is to unite the ummah, we accept it in principle. But whether it will succeed—I do not see it heading in that direction,” he said.
Dr Mahathir recently announced the formation of a committee under the banner of the ‘Malay Secretariat Committee’ to unite Malay groups under one umbrella, with the aim of restoring political strength and defending Malay rights in the country.
“This is not a political party, but an effort to bring together all movements fighting for the Malays into one collective,” he said.
Hashim added that PAS has never abandoned its commitment to the principle of Muslim unity, and remains open to reviving the MN collaboration.
“The principle of unity has never been abandoned by PAS. But if the other side sees this cooperation as politically disadvantageous, that’s up to them.
“But our call for unity will continue. It is not our fault the cooperation didn’t materialise. Our intention is to fulfil what God has commanded. Whether it succeeds or not is not up to us,” he said.
Meanwhile, PAS Ulama Council information chief Mohd Asri Mat Daud said the party remains consistent in pushing the MN agenda in cooperation with Umno, stressing that the initiative is not seasonal.
“PAS remains focused on the Muafakat Nasional agenda. It has been, is being, and will continue to be carried out. It has never gone silent.
“Tun Mahathir’s ‘payung besar’ effort is a recent one. As long as it is a platform for unity, we support it.
“But the Muafakat Nasional path with Umno is already laid out and ready to continue,” he said. — June 14, 2025