PAS calls for MN 2.0 to strengthen Malay-Muslim position

 

PAS has mooted another attempt at uniting major Malay-based political parties under the Muafakat Nasional banner.

In a statement, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the time has come for a renewed effort to make Malays and Muslims stronger ahead of the upcoming Johor state election.

"This unification effort must be expedited, beginning with (cooperation) to face the Johor state election and continuing to be strengthened in the future.

"Malay-based political parties have stood together before in the nation's history. We witnessed this in the aftermath of the May 13 incident when BN was formed.

"MN was established (in 2019) out of concerns over the conduct of the then Pakatan Harapan government, which was perceived as potentially undermining the peace and harmony of Malaysian society.

"Now, the time has come to realise the vision of MN 2.0," he said.

The PAS lawmaker’s call came just days after caretaker Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the state legislative assembly to pave the way for fresh state polls.

For the future

Tuan Ibrahim (above) urged all major political parties to seriously consider the call, set aside their differences and prioritise the future of the Malay and Muslims.

"God willing, when the Malay-Muslim community is united, we will be stronger and better able to safeguard the rights of all," the Kubang Kerian MP added.

Following the defeat of the BN government in 2018, PAS and Umno came together to form a loose political cooperation under the MN banner to consolidate Malay support.

However, following the collapse of the Harapan government and the appointment of Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister in 2020, PAS opted to work with Bersatu to form Perikatan Nasional - a move Umno viewed as a betrayal.

PAS had also insisted on including Bersatu in MN, which Umno opposed. The pact ended in December 2022, with Umno backing PKR president Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

Although PAS and Bersatu continue to cooperate within PN, tensions have surfaced in recent months following several clashes between their leaders.

This is not the first time a MN revival has been proposed. In December last year, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh called for PN to be dissolved amid coalition infighting, particularly in Perlis, and bring back MN.

Several PAS leaders had supported the suggestion including PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden and PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari. - Mkini