Akmal: No political barriers, all welcome to 'one-million-strong' Umno-PAS ummah gathering

 

Dr Akmal Saleh has sought to dispel any notion that the proposed “Himpunan Perpaduan Ummah” (Muslim Unity Gathering), which aims to draw one million people, will be an exclusive affair for Umno and PAS supporters.

The Umno Youth chief stressed that the organisers had placed no restrictions on participation based on political or organisational affiliation, saying the gathering was intended to bring together anyone committed to strengthening Malay-Muslim unity.

“This gathering is for everyone, regardless of political party or race. As long as the objective is to unite the ummah, everyone is invited to join us.

“What we have said is that the main drivers of this gathering are Umno and PAS, as the two largest Malay-Muslim parties in our country. This gathering belongs to all of us,” he said in a Facebook post.

Akmal (above) was responding to Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali, who said the gathering should extend beyond Umno and PAS to include anyone committed to rebuilding Malay and Muslim unity.

Rafique said that, amid the current political landscape, differences over party affiliation, questions over who should assume the role of “big brother” or “little brother” in political cooperation, and rivalries among Malay-Muslim parties should no longer stand in the way.

Instead, he said, there was a need to set aside narrow political interests in favour of a cause he regarded as far greater.

Unity put to the test

The proposed gathering stems from a motion passed at the 2026 Umno general assembly calling for Umno and PAS to jointly organise the event, as their political cooperation gathers momentum amid growing fissures within the Madani government.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi subsequently entrusted Akmal with spearheading the initiative, although a date for the gathering has yet to be determined.

“Akmal, I am giving you the mandate. Work well with them (PAS). Organise a roadshow across the states before culminating in a massive gathering at the central level.

“I urge the entire Youth machinery at the divisional and state levels, with the support of the divisions, Wanita and Puteri, to give their full backing to the state-level gatherings and establish tafahum siyasi (political understanding) through this joint movement so that it is organised and sustained,” he said.

Zahid (above) said the initiative should begin in the three PAS-governed states of Terengganu, Kelantan, and Kedah before culminating in a national-level gathering.

Beyond fostering Malay-Muslim unity, the deputy prime minister said the state-level roadshows could also serve as a litmus test of the understanding between Umno and PAS before the two parties consider broader cooperation.

“Hopefully, we can jointly build this cooperation or understanding on the basis of mutual respect, without betrayal, and with sincerity in the interests of the ummah as a whole,” he said.

The proposal also dovetails with the position taken by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who has called for the party to first test PAS’ sincerity in forging a political understanding, particularly with the next general election looming on the horizon. - Mkini