Despite appearances, Zahid assures Umno-PAS pact not about racial politics

Despite some participants in attendance at the Perhimpunan Penyatuan Ummah today saying they were there to support the unity of the Malay-Muslim community, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno and PAS should not get trapped into "narrow racial politics".

"Umno and PAS should not fall into narrow racial politics as well as extremist religious beliefs.

"It goes against Islamic nature which promotes moderation and respect for other religions, in line with Article 3 (1) of the Federal Constitution," Zahid said in his speech at the assembly in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) today.

This joint charter between Umno and PAS does not mean that the two parties have fallen into racial politics as accused by certain quarters, he said.

This cooperation should be seen in a more positive light, Zahid said, as Umno and PAS are mature parties who are very familiar with the agenda of racial harmony.

"Umno and PAS will ensure that this cooperation will not separate, distance or make enemies of any race or religion in this beloved nation," he said.

He stressed multiple times throughout his speech that the cooperation between the two parties will be nationalistic in nature and not racial or religious.

"This 'penyatuan ummah' (ummah unity) is not just for Umno and PAS. Instead, it is thorough, encompassing all race and religion," Zahid said.

The current political landscape calls for this cooperation to happen, he said, as the constitution and the peace within the country are being threatened.

"As such, as fighters and proponents of the unity of the ummah, we cannot allow such turmoil to go on," Zahid said.

Zahid's assurances against racial politics come after several other Umno leaders also did the same yesterday.

Umno senator Khairul Azwan Harun yesterday said it was still premature to conclude that the alliance would lead to more racial politics.

Johor Umno Youth chief Mohd Hairi Mad Shah had also urged non-Muslims not to fear the alliance.

This joint charter is a historic milestone as it is the marriage of two bitter foes whose political romance was rekindled after their common adversary Pakatan Harapan won the last general election. - Mkini