Umno-PAS cooperation: It's all about race and religion, says Dr M

Despite Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressing that the Umno-PAS cooperation is not based on racial politics, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes it does have to do with race and religion.

"That story, it is always about race and religion and all that, but what to do, it is important.

"But if you are there to stir up racial feelings, I think it is wrong.

"But I cannot understand how Umno can work with PAS because Umno is kafir (infidel). How can they work with PAS?" Mahathir said during a press conference after the Putrajaya Boat Race 2019 championships at the Putrajaya Lake Club today.

He was commenting on the Perhimpunan Penyatuan Ummah at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) yesterday which saw over 25,000 people attending the historic signing of the joint charter between Umno and PAS. 

In his speech at the assembly yesterday, Zahid had said Umno and PAS should not get trapped into "narrow racial politics".

"It goes against Islamic nature which promotes moderation and respect for other religions, in line with Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution.

"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 had said then.

However, sentiments among those in attendance appeared to focus on the race and religious aspect of the cooperation between the two parties.

Several people from the crowd who spoke to Malaysiakini yesterday said they were there to support the efforts of the unity of the Malay-Muslim community.

"The pressure from non-Muslims has made us spirited and coincidentally, there is an agenda to mobilise the Muslim community.

"It seems like outsiders want to control us. We are rising to say that we will defend, not only our religion but our nation as well," said PAS member Rais Kamarulzaman.

Umno member Hasidah Mansor also expressed concern over instability rising from the race issue.

"We are afraid that the issue of race is heading towards instability and we are afraid of May 13 happening, so I am proud that PAS and Umno are uniting," she had said. - Mkini