PAS: Delegates will decide on alliance

We respect the majority’s thoughts on working with Umno, says Mohd Amar

KOTA BARU: Muktamar delegates will decide if PAS should forge an alliance with Umno, says party vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

“We do not know if the delegates will be pushing for a resolution on the matter (during the muktamar in Terengganu this weekend).

“We do not tell them what to do. We will not dictate,” he said.

Mohd Amar said this in response to speculation on a possible alliance between the two arch rivals following Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s confirmation that he would lead a delegation of top Umno leaders to the muktamar.

Earlier, PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the invitation extended to Umno should not be misconstrued as an initiative to forge an alliance.

He said PAS invited representatives from other parties, including rivals, to attend the opening cere- mony of its muktamar every year.

Mohd Amar said the delegates were given freedom to debate on the matter, as well as other pressing issues, and to suggest the type of alliance they anticipated.

“They can also debate against it. We will respect the decision of the majority,” he said, adding that the muktamar offered the best plat- form for grassroots to air their views without any restrictions.

PAS’ revered leader, the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, had been against forging an alliance with Umno.

In 1974, PAS joined Barisan Nasional but pulled out three years later following an intense internal power tussle in Kelantan.