PAS MUKTAMAR | A working level discussion has to be established before the country's opposition parties can move towards forming a formal coalition, according to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid believes that the opposition at this point has reached an understanding that they need to collaborate to address issues pertaining to their common interests.
"We have come to an understanding that we should collaborate in addressing issues pertaining to the common interests of Islam, Malays as well as our nation as a whole.
"But to establish a long-term relationship to face the 15th general election, I think a working level discussion has to be established first.
"At the moment our collaboration is in terms of working together as an opposition coalition," he said in Kuala Terengganu today.
Zahid spoke to reporters after attending PAS' 64th muktamar together with other BN leaders.
Among those present were MIC deputy president SK Devamany, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, and Umno information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
He was commenting on the much-speculated formal coalition between opposition parties, especially when Umno and PAS had been seen helping each other in the recent Sungai Kandis and Seri Setia-Balakong twin by-elections.
During the muktamar's opening ceremony, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in his policy speech only made general mention of the Islamist party's openness to cooperate with other parties, without specifically mentioning Umno.
On this, Zahid said politicians can read between the lines what Hadi meant without the latter having to mention it directly.
"We have to read between the lines, not only what was said. I think the PAS president and its top leadership are sincere in this collaboration, even though it was not specifically mentioned.
"We as people in politics understand that what he meant (in his speech) was (our) cooperation, which does not need to be directly mentioned. The gist of his speech was directed at the collaboration between the two parties, as well as others."
Other BN parties 'understand'
When asked about Umno's relationship with MCA following its cooperation with PAS, Zahid said he did not see any problem despite the cooperation receiving criticism from some MCA leaders.
"MCA and MIC, even Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak (PBRS) and MyPPP understand. And MCA, although its leaders had issued statements (against Umno-PAS collaboration), but they understand that this is a cooperation in politics and religious issues.
"And while we cooperate on issues related to Islam, I have stated that we have never lost our respect for other religions. This has been our stand all these while."
When asked if Umno was ready to part ways with MCA in its desire to cooperate with PAS, Zahid said he did not see it being the case.
Zahid said he frequently met with the MCA top leadership to discuss various issues, and that they were mature and rational. - Mkini
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