‘COOPERATE NOT JUST TO WIN ELECTIONS’
Collaboration with Umno should be for the benefit of Islam and all Muslims, reminds Pas Ulama wing delegate
APAS Ulama wing delegate reminded party members that any
taawun siyasi (cooperation for the benefit of Islam) relationship with Umno must be done in search of Allah’s blessing and not merely to win elections.
Representing Negri Sembilan, Muhammad Rahmat called on all Pas members to show their love for all Muslims, regardless of their different political beliefs.
“There was a blessing (in disguise) for Umno when it lost the 14th General Election (GE14). My family members and I used to argue a lot because they supported Umno but our relationship
had become better after GE14. So much so that my brother said he would support any collaboration between Umno and Pas.
“I believe that if we want to be blessed by Allah, we should all love each other, even our enemies,” he said during the wing’s annual congress at Dewan Wisma Belia.
Echoing his sentiments was Johor delegate Mustafa Saleh, who questioned some party members who still harboured hatred towards Umno.
He urged the ulama leadership to speak to its members in order to change their perception of Umno.
“Muslims should not hate each other. It doesn’t matter if we are from Pas or Umno because we are all Muslims.
“Let’s change our mindset. Why not cooperate (with Umno)? I believe the ulama (leadership) must look into this,” he said.
Selangor delegate Nazmi Karim said such cooperation was possible as long as it benefited Islam.
“However, (the party) must practise caution for fear that our members will be influenced by Umno. Some ustaz (as the ulama leaders are called) had started talking about projects,” he said.
Perak delegate Mujahid Mohd Fadil said Pas should learn from past lessons when cooperating with other political parties, citing its falling out with Pakatan Rakyat in 2015.
The Dewan Ulama, which comprises party veterans, has had reservations about the idea of a Pas-Umno collaboration in the past.
Hence, the support from these wing leaders would finally pave the way for Pas to form a formal political cooperation with Umno, said to be the most anticipated topic to be debated during the Pas’ 65th Muktamar, which ends on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Datuk Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh was named the new ulama wing chief after he won the post uncontested, succeeding Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed.
Senator Datuk Johari Mat was elected the new deputy chief while Muntanazar Ismail is the new vice-chief. Both men also won uncontested.
The Dewan Ulama working committee put forward a motion on taawun siyasi to make it an important reference and guide in Pas’ strategy and current approach particularly in efforts to expand dakwah, uphold syariah and unify the people.
It also suggested detailed guidelines on taawun siyasi for uniform implementation at all party levels.
Earlier, Mahfodz in his keynote speech said he supported the efforts towards taawun siyasi for the benefit of Islam. He said the cooperation would serve to strengthen the checks-and-balance of the government.
“The approach covers all agenda, siasah (administration), dakwah (preaching) and tarbiyah (teaching), as well as tahaluf
siyasi with DAP until it was nullified due to (their) violation of terms.
“Now, we have taawun with Umno for the survival of Islam, the Malay sultanate, Malaysia’s political stability as well as protecting Malay and Bumiputera privileges,” he said.