Terengganu PAS Youth has urged the party to take the lead in efforts to forge Malay-Muslim unity and cooperate with other political parties, rather than merely becoming a “yes-man”.
Mukhlis Hasin, a Terengganu PAS Youth representative, said such efforts must not come at the expense of PAS’s principles.
“Let us be the ones leading this unity, not the ones who become the ‘yes-man’ in it. Let us never be cowardly in defending our identity merely for the sake of preserving unity.
“And let us never be afraid to defend the truth merely for the sake of preserving unity,” he said while debating the policy speech by the PAS Youth chief at the wing’s 67th muktamar.
Unity must involve party leadership
Mukhlis said the biggest challenge was not simply uniting members at the grassroots level, but ensuring that the party leadership was also prepared to make the unity effort a success.
He said a fellow delegate had asked whether Umno would still contest in Terengganu if PAS-PN won all 40 seats in the state.
Nevertheless, Mukhlis said Terengganu PAS Youth would support the party leadership’s decision should cooperation with Barisan Nasional-Umno materialise.
“Insya-Allah, from Besut to Kemaman, the young people will work to realise this unity. We will defend and ensure victory for whichever candidate is chosen by PAS,” he said.
PAS-Umno cooperation under discussion
Mukhlis’s remarks come amid growing discussion over PAS-Umno cooperation, which has been tested on the ground in this year’s state elections.
In the Negeri Sembilan state election, Umno and PAS, through Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional respectively, had an informal electoral understanding.
The understanding helped the two blocs secure a combined 26 of the 36 seats and form the state government.
