Unlike Umno, MCA says no to PAS

MALACCA, May 1 — MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek closed the door on PAS joining Barisan Nasional (BN), ironically saying today the party must first abandon its Islamic principles.

He said Datuk Seri Najib Razak is aware that his party will not accept PAS turning the country into an Islamic state although the prime minister cited Islam as a reason for the offer.

“MCA’s stand has been very clear that we will not accept PAS trying to make this country into a theocratic Islamic state. We will not accept that and PM is fully aware of MCA’s stance.

“They can join BN if they abandon their policy of turning this country into a theocratic Islamic state,” he told reporters here.

Najib threw open the doors for PAS to join Barisan Nasional and further the concerns of Malays and Muslims, telling the Islamist party yesterday it could not achieve its aims while partnering with DAP.

“Why play nice with DAP? Does DAP champion Islam?” Najib asked in Kuala Terengganu.

Dr Chua, however, said his party will not stop Umno and PAS from talking to each other.

“Well, that is good for Malay and Muslim unity but there is no harm that they want to talk. We cannot prevent people from talking.

“PM and Umno is fully aware but if they want to meet then there is no harm in meeting. In a democratic country, people can meet from time to time to talk about common meeting points,” he added.

Najib’s invitation follows a call last weekend by Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia for a “1 Melayu, 1 Bumi” campaign to unite Malays against what the newspaper said was racial politics by DAP to stir up Chinese sentiment.

It also continues concerted efforts by Umno post-Election 2008 to get PAS to join forces in the name of Malay-Muslim unity.

The subject of unity talks between PAS and Umno had dominated the 2009 PAS Muktamar, which saw a number of leaders who are keen on exploring talks with Umno emerged as big winners.

More recently, top PAS and Umno leadership met at a Christmas Eve dinner hosted by the Yang diPertuan Agong last year, during which the subject of Malay unity was once again broached.

Sources told The Malaysian Insider the move then to bring PAS into BN entailed both PAS president Hadi and his deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa being given a prominent role in Putrajaya if the party decides to abandon Pakatan Rakyat (PR), but that spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat continues to be the major obstacle in bringing PAS closer to the ruling coalition.

Following the furore over the Christmas Eve meet, Hadi had reassured partners in PR that the Islamist party was committed to remain in the pact.