Committee to find common ground

Umno, PAS hope to work together as opposition coalition in protecting the Malay agenda

KUALA SELANGOR: Umno and PAS will create a special committee very soon to find a common stand in their struggle to achieve the Malay and Islamic agenda in the country, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the special committee was also being created to implement social programmes involving the two Malay parties.

“Through the committee, Umno will also organise gatherings concerning issues on the Malays and Islam in every state to promote cooperation between the two parties and boost the sentiments of the Malays and Muslims.

“We hope that through this committee we can work together as an opposition coalition in protecting the Malay agenda and Islam in this country,” he said when attending a gathering with the top Umno leadership at the Selangor level.

During another event in Perak, Dr Ahmad Zahid called on PAS to merge with Umno.

“Let us set aside our differences in the name of Islam, Malays, Malaysia and bumiputra and merge,” he said at a gathering to oppose the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) at Kampung Gajah, near Teluk Intan.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also blamed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the hatred between Umno and PAS.

“He taught us to hate PAS, DAP and other parties but now they are together.

“We have been lied to for 22 years. It was a mistake for us to fight each other,” he said, adding that he would be willing to lead the merger.

Meanwhile, PAS Syura Council chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said the council will have the final say on any proposed merger between the two parties.

The Syura Council is the highest body in PAS and is responsible for defining policies governing the party.

Dr Mahfodz added that the council itself could bring up the proposal for discussion at its next meeting as it was mentioned in the presence of several PAS leaders.

“PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was present at the gathering and maybe it will be him who will bring up the proposal to the council for discussion,” he said.

Abdul Hadi, who took the stage later, did not touch on the proposed merger and focused his speech on their objection towards ICERD.

Another mega gathering to oppose ICERD is set to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8.