KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) Thursday offered to foster close ties with PAS to together build the nation in accordance with real Islamic doctrine.
Najib, who is also Prime Minister, expressed his happiness over PAS no longer with the opposition pact after being “kicked out” by its opposition allies.
“So, we in Umno feel relief, and in fact, happy that PAS is now not with these opposition parties anymore.
“With an open heart and free spirit, we offer the ties and bond of relationship towards the ideal in building Malaysia based on the Islamic doctrine,” he said in his policy speech at the opening of the Umno general assembly 2015 at the Putra World Trade Centre, here.
Although Umno desired unity of the ummah, he stressed that what was most important was supporting unity and solidarity first within Umno itself.
There has been the open quarrel between PAS and its former Pakatan Rakyat (PR) allies especially DAP, of late, particularly in states ruled by the opposition like Selangor and Penang.
PAS’ relationship with its PR partners worsened following the formation of Amanah, which is led by former PAS leaders who receive strong support from DAP.
Recently, PAS declared itself as an opposition party in Penang following the DAP-led state government’s action of sacking 300 PAS members from the Village and Security Development Committee (JKKK).
Touching on the opposition’s statement of wanting the country to practise the two-party system, Najib said it would not happen and Umno would not accept it.
“How can…how can this be accepted,” he said, adding that Umno would not accept the call, not because it did not understand the meaning of democracy but the “unwise call” was dangerous.
The Malays and Umno members, he said, should be careful and be wary of a two-party system and “let us not jump into that trap”.
He said the political reality in Malaysia today was that the people had only two choices, a coalition government led by Umno or another pact which would be dominated by DAP.
“I mean that if Umno is rejected, this country will be ruled by those who are against the Islamic struggle and who reject the Malay and Bumiputera struggle.
“Disaster will befall us. Do we want the future of our children and grandchildren and the Islamic religion to be left to other than the existing Malay and Islamic leadership. Nauzubillah (we seek refuge in Allah),” he said.
Targeting the DAP in his speech, the Umno president said DAP had never been loyal to its partners and was now trying to “control” the other parties in the opposition pact.
In Penang which is ruled by DAP, Najib said, Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin had sobbed (at the state assembly sitting) over the fate of voters in the state, especially the Malay voters, who were ignored and neglected by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“This has never happened in the history of Barisan In reality, who is the cruel one? Tap your chest, ask yourself,” he said.
Najib said DAP’s workings could also be seen in Selangor when its leaders stated their intentions to contest for eight state seats that had been won by PAS.
Meanwhile in Sarawak, he said, DAP’s arrogance was also clear where the party had severed ties with PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), just because it wanted to contest for more seats in the coming state election.
“That is DAP, which has never been loyal to its coalition partners. In 1990, they formed the opposition pact. They split in 1995 and got back together in 1999. Then in 2004, they split again.”
DAP, he added, tried to join forces in 2008 and 2013 with PAS and PKR.
“If we liken them to some married people, they have divorced ‘talak tiga’ (irreconcilable with three simultaneous pronouncements of divorce).
“If tomorrow we see them split with Pakatan Harapan, don’t know how many ‘talak’ to apply then.”
Najib said those in DAP were never of one heart with their pact partners and he urged the people to think and look at their (opposition pact) capability in ruling the country.
“It’s difficult for them even to agree, so how to rule the country?” he added. – Bernama