Umno has closed the book on Muafakat Nasional with PAS, says Puad

Puad Zarkashi said he was strongly opposed to any talk of rebuilding ties between Umno and PAS under Muafakat Nasional. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: An Umno leader has criticised PAS for persistently raising the possibility of a revival of the Muafakat Nasional (MN) pact between the two parties.

Umno Supreme Council Puad Zarkashi said the party has “closed the book” on the matter and claimed PAS was only trying to divide the parties in the unity government.

He said he was strongly opposed to any talk of rebuilding ties between Umno and PAS.

MN was formed in September 2019 when both parties were in the opposition bloc following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the 14th general election in May 2018.

Puad said Umno “knows PAS well enough” and is more comfortable being part of the current government.

He also cited how the parties in the unity government could compromise on issues such as housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming’s proposal to nominate Chinese New Villages in Selangor as a Unesco world heritage site.

“When Umno opposed (the proposal), it was abandoned (by Nga). If PAS were in Umno’s position (as part of the government), they would surely remain silent and just play along,” he told FMT.

“No more discussion to revive MN. Umno has closed the book. Once bitten twice shy. Such claims are simply being made now to undermine the unity government.

“If PAS is serious (about cooperating with Umno), just join the unity government.”

Yesterday, PAS spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin said he was “confident” that informal talks between the leaders of the Islamic party and Umno to revive MN would yield results.

He said many still believe that MN is not dead yet and want to continue with the cooperation.

The former Sanglang assemblyman said “official meetings may not have taken place yet”, but he believes there have been efforts at all levels of both parties’ leadership to revive MN.

“As a result of various issues touching on the sensitivities of Malay- Muslims lately, I can see some Umno leaders being aware (on the need for MN),” he said, according to Sinar Harian.

He said the issues included the striking down of 16 provisions of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 by the Federal Court, and Nga’s proposal on the Chinese New Villages.

PAS and Umno had previously accused each other of neglecting the MN charter.

Relations between the two parties have been tense since PAS formed Perikatan Nasional with Bersatu. The Islamic party also wanted Bersatu to be part of MN but the proposal was strongly opposed by Umno.