Umno-Pas cooperation not a gimmick, says Zahid

BAGAN DATUK: The cooperation between Umno and Pas is not a political gimmick, but a sincere collaboration for the sake of Islam, Malays and the country, said Bagan Datuk member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said both parties should be sincere and have no hidden agenda.

The former deputy prime minister said he believed Pas was sincere in wanting to cooperate with Umno for the sake of Islam.

He said Pas and Umno should forget their past rivalry and be far-sighted.

“Before the 14th General Election (GE14), there had been talks of Pas-Umno cooperation, but Pas decided to stand alone.

“Barisan Nasional (BN) lost in the GE14 because of the threecornered fight...a price we have to pay dearly,” he said at a leadership discourse on Umno-Pas cooperation here last night. Present was Bagan Pas leader Datuk Misbahul Munir Masduki.

Zahid, who is Bagan Datuk Umno division chief, said the positive side of BN’s defeat was that it made Umno and Pas opposition parties. The two parties came to know who their true friends were, he added.

He said so far, no decision had been reached on the tahaluf siyasi (political cooperation) between Umno and Pas and that the matter was not discussed during his meeting with Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in Pasir Salak recently.