Following Umno’s offer to work with PAS in building a “perfect Malaysia”, both parties will start their cooperation “in slow motion” before moving to firmer arrangements, Umno leader Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi says.
“Let it be on an informal (biasa) basis for now, while strengthening mutual understanding, for instance, on the issue of khalwat (close proximity between opposite sexes) penalty.
“PAS and Umno can discuss this penalty, so that the liberals understand. We will cooperate on this first,” he said, referring to the G25 group, which promotes moderation in Islam, pushing for a review of laws regulating Muslims’ personal lives.
“We need to come together to face the liberals, Shias and groups which are inconsistent about Islam.
“We have many mutual enemies.”
Puad, when met at the Umno general assembly in the Putra World Trade Centre, also said that for a start, Najib would meet PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang at a gathering for Cairo’s Al-Azhar University alumni next week.
Hadi will give the opening speech at the event while Najib will officiate it. The gathering is to be held in a Kuala Lumpur hotel from December 16 to 18.
“With Ustaz Hadi agreeing to give the main speech at the convention, it means they will be meeting each other,” Puad said.
Puad, who is also director-general of Putrajaya’s propaganda unit, the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), said Najib’s offer to PAS has been well received by Umno members.
“There were delegates, who, in their speeches, urged Umno not to view PAS as the enemy, so it was well received, there was no booing,” Puad said.
Before this, the two leaders had met informally on a few occasions. Najib had also visited Hadi when the latter was hospitalised.
Hadi, in return, has neither rejected nor accepted Najib’s offer.
This was in stark contrast with his party deputy and vice president, who rejected the offer outright.
According to Puad, the Islamist party should not be rigid about its cooperation with other parties.
“If PAS can continue its cooperation with PKR after severing ties with DAP and PAN (Parti Amanah Negara), I urge them not to take a rigid stance towards Umno.”
He said Umno had wanted to work with PAS “from the very beginning” but it was being portrayed as though the ruling party only made overtures to PAS when the former was under pressure.
This was not the case, Puad said.
“All parties have problems.
“Parti Amanah Negara and DAP also have their issues. That is not a justification to look for new friends.”
Puad rejected the argument that PAS was concerned about history repeating itself – the Islamist party had once joined the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional but was kicked out by Umno.
PAS should stop feeling embarrassed about working with Umno, he added.
“To me, we cannot be shy any more. In politics, there is no such thing. Politics is progressive and dynamic.
“As long as we stay away from what is forbidden according to the law.” – December 12, 2015.
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