Previous PAS-Umno splits just minor differences in opinion, says Hadi

 

N SEMBILAN POLLS | PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang chalked up his party’s previous “divorces” with Umno to minor differences in opinion rather than fundamental problems.

Hadi said there are no disagreements between the two parties when it comes to principles.

“Differences of opinion (khilaf) usually occur over minor matters, not principles. On matters of principle, there is no disagreement between PAS and Umno.

“PAS’ struggle is based on Islam, whereas Umno is based on the Malays; the Malays and Islam are inseparable.

“If a Chinese person embraces Islam, they say they become Malay; an Indian becomes Malay. Malay is Islam.

“We only disagree on approaches, not principles,” he told the media in Marang, Terengganu today.

The Marang MP also reaffirmed his party’s and Perikatan Nasional’s commitment to cooperate with BN as a genuine and mutually beneficial understanding.

Hadi said the alliance is not an act, and all coalitions involved had spent money to ensure its success.

“The cooperation is not a stage... money was spent. PAS members went (to campaign) spending their own money, with full effort. Including Umno members who also spent money…

“What kind of stage is that?” he said when asked to comment on claims that the cooperation between the PAS-dominated PN and BN in the Negeri Sembilan state election was mere political drama.

PAS vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar now leads PN as its chairperson, while Hadi holds no position in the coalition.

Open pact after Johor gains

The Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug 1 sees PAS-PN working openly with BN after their unofficial cooperation in the Johor polls resulted in BN winning a landslide, taking 48 of 56 seats.

In Johor, PAS clashed with Umno-BN in 11 seats, in addition to 22 other seats represented by PN component parties Bersatu, Malaysian Indian People’s Party, and Pejuang.

This time in Negeri Sembilan, there is no clash between the two sides. Out of the 36 seats in the Negeri Sembilan state assembly, BN is contesting 25 seats while PN takes the remaining 11.

Pakatan Harapan, meanwhile, is fielding candidates in all state seats.

Hadi said he hopes the cooperation established between Umno and PAS this time will last long.

The reason, he said: “To save the country, God willing.” - Mkini