PAS wants PN-MN unity Malacca polls

 

PAS has reiterated its stand to cooperate with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Muafakat Nasional (MN) as the Malacca state election looms.

The Islamic party will not make any choice to choose between MN or PN, said PAS spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin.

PAS is committed to achieving the unity of the ummah (Muslims) by working with MN and PN in the next polls, including the Malacca state election, he said.

“If we choose MN and reject PN, PAS will contribute to the disunity of the ummah. The same goes if PAS chooses PN and rejects MN," he said.

"MN can be maintained if Umno intended to strengthen the unity, apart from adopting a tolerant attitude for the sake of the unity of Malay Muslims in the country," Hashim (above) was quoted as saying by Harakah Daily, the mouthpiece of the Islamic party.

"PAS insists that it will not leave PN, a coalition formed together with Bersatu and other parties, apart from remaining steadfast to the ummah unity principle," he said.

While the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bipartisan cooperation inked between the government and Pakatan Harapan saw a temporary political truce in the country, the country's biggest Malay-based parties, however, continue to be stuck in a stalemate as allies in MN and PN declined to cooperate among themselves in the forthcoming polls.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

This is particularly so with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declaring that his party will not work with Bersatu in the Malacca state election, which was made possible following the dissolution of the state government after four government lawmakers withdrew their support for Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

Umno's Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, who was among the most vocal critics of Zahid's faction, said Umno needed to negotiate with PN if it intended to retain power in Malacca.

The Malacca state assembly has 28 seats, with 14 held by BN, Bersatu (two), DAP (seven), PKR (two), Amanah (two) and one Independent assemblyperson.

Hashim said the leaders of Umno and Bersatu should study the matter thoroughly for the sake of the unity of the ummah.

"If PN and Umno are destined to be defeated due to clashes among themselves, it is the ummah and the Malays who will suffer the loss," he said.

It is difficult for the ruling coalition to retain power if there is a clash among themselves.

"However, if there was a clash, PAS is going to have its own considerations," said Hashim, without making any further elaboration. - Mkini