UMNO has stepped up engagement with PAS, with its secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki attending the Islamist party’s 72nd annual muktamar here today as the two parties’ political ties again come under scrutiny.
Asyraf Wajdi represented UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the gathering at the Islamic Tarbiah Centre of Kelantan (PUTIK), accompanied by the UMNO Kelantan leadership.
His attendance is significant as it is only the second time an UMNO leader has attended the PAS muktamar since 2019, underscoring renewed attention on efforts to strengthen Malay-Muslim political cooperation.
Also present were Kelantan UMNO liaison chief Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob, state Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad and UMNO division chiefs.
The UMNO delegation received a warm welcome from PAS leaders.
At the 2019 PAS muktamar in Pahang, UMNO was represented by its then deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The renewed engagement comes as the prospect of closer cooperation between UMNO and PAS, particularly under the banner of Malay-Muslim unity, gains fresh political attention.
It was reported yesterday that the “penyatuan ummah” (“Malay-Muslim unity”) agenda between PAS and UMNO was increasingly seen as becoming a reality, with Ahmad Zahid expected to attend the 72nd PAS annual muktamar today. - September 4, 2026
