PAS spiritual leader calls for ceasefire with Umno

 

PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has urged PAS and Umno leaders to observe a ceasefire during the forthcoming Johor Legislative Assembly election.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Hashim (above) said party leaders must appreciate what has been built through the Muafakat Nasional coalition and think of Muslim interests in the long term.

"It seems that we cannot avoid multi-corner contests (with Umno during the Johor elections). I urge everyone to stop attacking one another.

"Think long-term. We must move forward. We must unite. Forget old wounds," he said.

On Jan 28, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang made the now-infamous "lame duck" reference on Umno.

At the time, Hadi said PAS had nursed Umno back to health after the 2018 general election, describing Umno as a "lame duck" that was struggling after losing the national polls.

Now that Umno was on its feet again, Hadi said the party was turning its back on PAS.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang

Following the 2018 general election, Umno and PAS had explored the possibility of an electoral pact after decades of animosity.

This culminated in the Muafakat Nasional pact in Sept 2019. However, PAS joined the Perikatan Nasional coalition the following year, a move which Umno could not accept.

PN was formed by Bersatu, the latest Umno splinter party.

The "lame duck" remark had sparked a storm among Umno figures, with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi likening Hadi to a "zoologist".

Meanwhile, Hashim reminded Umno and PAS leaders that their main enemy should be Pakatan Harapan.

Therefore, the impending clashes during the Johor polls should be considered "sibling rivalry" and not lead to animosity.

"Our real enemy is in front of us. Stop attacking each other," Hashim said. - Mkini