The PAS-led Terengganu government believes it can iron out differences with the state Umno chapter, and called for its chief Ahmad Said to resume discussions.
This was despite Ahmad saying that the Muafakat Nasional pact at the state level was dead and adamant that Umno would contest all 32 state seats and eight out of 12 parliamentary seats there in the next general election.
Terengganu Information, Human Development and Dakwah Committee chairperson Mohd Nor Hamzah said unity between the two parties under the Muafakat banner should be looked at from a broader aspect - which is to ensure that Muslims and Malays stay strong together.
"This pact must be strengthened. On that basis, I believe that negotiation and talks can still go on. But both parties must be ready to sit together.
"Until today, I have been hoping that Umno and BN leaders especially in Terengganu will offer their handshake so we can make peace, and build this unity at the discussion table.
"We are ready to discuss whatever issues and problems, so that we can make this work," he told Malaysiakini today.
Malaysiakini contacted the Bukit Payong assemblyperson to get his comments on the ongoing tussle between PAS and Umno in the state.
This morning, a news portal reported Ahmad as saying that Muafakat is dead in Terengganu, and described the political pact as a meeting where leaders would have meals but never discuss anything of substance.
"I shed tears when the agreement was signed. We hoped Muafakat would pave the way for better things but it did not happen. That is why it never took off," Ahmad was reported as saying by The Malaysian Insight.
The former Terengganu menteri besar also claimed that Umno grassroots members could still not accept Muafakat because of attacks that PAS made against the Malay-based party over the years.
He cited a controversial speech by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in 1981, where the latter gave a sermon saying that PAS fought against the Umno government because it carried on with the system of the infidels (kafir).
"This kafir issue resulted in a confusing fatwa. How are we to deal with PAS today as a result of this? This is not an old wound but one that never healed and continues to bleed," he told the news portal.
On this, Mohd Nor said that Umno leaders have to lead their people into accepting the unity agenda.
PAS also has to do the same to make its members ready to accept Muafakat, he added.
"We should not just look at this from a narrow perspective of one state. We must realise that this unity is important for the country.
"There is nothing wrong if we continue this discussion, and strengthen our muafakat (agreement). Let's forget the past and walk towards unity of the ummah in Terengganu and the whole country, so we can see Muslims and Malays become strong," Mohd Nor stressed.
Meanwhile, Terengganu PAS assistant secretary Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi when contacted for comments on the same issue did not elaborate much.
"PAS is firm with our principle to strengthen Muafakat and defend the Perikatan Nasional coalition," he said in a text message. - Mkini
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