Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the party's 69th general assembly at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today. Najib says Umno is ready to work with PAS to create a 'perfect Malaysia'. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, December 10, 2015.
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak today offered Islamist party PAS the chance to work with Umno to build a "perfect" Malaysia.
In his policy speech at the Umno general assembly, Najib who is also prime minister said PAS had been unceremoniously "kicked out" of the opposition coalition.
"We in Umno were relieved and happy when PAS was no longer with the opposition coalition.
"With an open heart and independent soul, we offer them a relationship (tali silaturrahim), we offer a brotherhood (ikatan ukhuwah) towards building a perfect Malaysia," said Najib, prompting cheers from delegates.
PAS is not part of the opposition pact, Pakatan Harapan, formed to replace Pakatan Rakyat which collapsed after a fallout between PAS and former ally DAP.
PAS's conservative leadership has long been flirting with the idea of cooperation with Umno for the sake of Islam and the Malays, although its formal stance is against joining the party, its arch-rival in vying for the Malay-Muslim vote.
With the exception of three, none of PAS's federal lawmakers voted down Najib's national budget for 2016 tabled in the last Dewan Rakyat sitting, breaking ranks with other opposition parties in Pakatan Harapan who voted down the budget after the policy stage.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has also said the Islamist party will not support a motion of no confidence against Najib.
MORE TO COME
- TMI
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