PETALING JAYA: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has rejected supporting Umno’s “Rumah Bangsa” initiative to unite the Malays, saying it does not have Islam at its core.
Hadi said this was the conclusion drawn by PAS based on the observations of its representatives who attended a meeting chaired by Umno with several political parties last week.
“Although there was no DAP representative, we can read between the lines,” he said in a Facebook post.
“The meeting was part of efforts to unite the Malays based on the spirit of nationalism, not Islam. They are still friends with DAP to form the government, although it forces them to depart from their essential struggles,” said the Marang MP.
Hadi said PAS was sticking to its principle on joining forces with trusted allies who would not obstruct the “struggles of Islam”, accusing Umno of befriending anyone who would help the party gain power.
“PAS is not willing to join this ‘Rumah Bangsa’ offered by Umno,” he added.
On March 5, representatives from eight political parties met at Umno’s headquarters to seek common ground on matters involving the Malays, Bumiputera and Islam.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the meeting was attended by representatives from PAS, PKR, Amanah, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Berjasa, Parti Kongres India Muslim Malaysia and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia.
PAS was represented by its secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan.
Akmal fires back at Hadi
In response, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said it was ironic that Hadi was attacking Umno over its initiative to unite Malay-Muslims.
Akmal also took a cynical dig at PAS, pointing out that the Islamic party was allies with DAP for several years under the Pakatan Rakyat alliance.
“If only Hadi issued this statement when PAS was with DAP in PR… That’s fine. We are consistent in continuing our agenda to unite (the Malays) for Allah, not for leaders,” he said in a Facebook post.
