HUA HIN: The split in PAS is very serious but Umno is still open to possible Malay and Muslim unity talks with the party.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak however said it would be difficult to have formal talks if PAS was split.
“So as long as PAS is not able to reach consensus, it will be difficult to hold talks with the party,” Najib told Malaysian journalists after attending the East Asia Summit here yesterday.
PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had called for a special muktamar to rid the party of several problematic leaders including deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali.
Asked if he was hurt at Nik Aziz’s refusal to have anything to do with Umno, Najib who is Umno president replied: “There are two groups in the party — one that is more political while the other is more sincere to work for the ummah.”
He said there were some in PAS who acknowledged Umno’s contribution towards the Malays and Muslims and there were also others who were only interested in politics and ignored what Umno had done.
“We are grateful that there are people who appreciate that Umno represents the Malays and Muslims. Umno has done a lot in terms of Islam and fighting for the rights of Malays and other races,” he added.
In Putrajaya, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Nik Aziz’s call for the special muktamar was less about his objection to the proposed unity talks but more about ousting leaders who he felt were not aligned to him.
“I think there is more to it than the issue of unity talks. There are differences of opinions among their leaders possibly due to other factors so there seems to be a clear split.
“When Nik Abdul Aziz made the call for an EGM which is a clear step to remove sections that are not aligned to him, is that on the basis to reject the unity talks?” he said after attending the finals and prize giving ceremony of the RHB-The Star Mighty Minds 2009 competition here yesterday.
Umno, he said, never dictated terms and was willing to work together with any party, not just PAS as its main concern was always the religion, the race and the country.
“Umno is a party for all. That is why we have amended the constitution to make it easier for anyone to become members,” he added.
In Kota Kinabalu, Umno vice-president Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said whatever problems facing PAS at the moment was due to the attitude of PAS leaders themselves.
Umno, he said, had nothing to do with the latest leadership rift in PAS.
“Umno is not bothered whether the EGM takes place or not. Our focus is working for the people.
“The leadership problems in PAS shows the party is not even near ready to lead the country. How can they unite the people when there is disunity among themselves.”
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