KUALA LUMPUR – Muafakat Nasional does not belong exclusively to a party or group, and should be open to everyone who loves unity, harmony and justice, said PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.
Given this, he said, the alliance between PAS and Umno can work with any other party that shares the same view heading into the 15th general election, especially to ensure there are no clashes that could benefit others.
“MN should be made the practice of musyawarah (consensus in decision-making) to empower the agenda of Islam, Malays and Bumiputeras, especially, and Malaysians, in general, within the framework of the constitution, so as to develop the country inclusively, prosperously, and ensure social justice, regardless of skin colour and belief.
“PAS is confident that to achieve this aspiration, all parties have to explore the path of peace, and accept, as well as respect, one another,” he said in a statement today.
Prior to this, there were rumours that PAS had withdrawn its cooperation with Umno under the MN banner.
Takiyuddin said no party should ask PAS to choose whether to be with MN, being that the Islamist outfit is one of the main players that designed and helped set up the alliance to unite the ummah.
He said PAS holds firm to the charter it signed with Umno on September 14 last year, which, among others, sees the parties agreeing to cooperate towards the development of the Islamic and Malay narrative without denying that religious, racial and cultural diversity is central to the nation’s political stability, peace and harmony.
“By maintaining a strong commitment to the MN genda, it is clear, from the point of a political approach and strategy, that there are no obstacles to Umno staying with Barisan Nasional, or PAS joining any coalition or political cooperation.” – Bernama, December 31, 2020
