Umno and Pas must set aside their differences and avoid internal disputes to ensure their cooperation remains strong, says Pas vice-president Idris Ahmad.
He said divisions between the two parties would only weaken their political strength, reminding their leaders to heed the Quranic warning against discord.
“There are only two choices, we either fight among ourselves or lose. So, which do we want?” he said in a speech before accompanying Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Rais Yasin to the nomination centre at the Rela Training Academy’s multipurpose hall in Sungai Udang today.
Also present were Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Umno Supreme Council members Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Azian Osman, and Pas Central Working Committee member Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.
Idris said cooperation between Umno and Pas was important to ensure Malay-Muslim political strength continued to serve as a cornerstone of the country, which has a multiracial population.
“That is why we want to work together to ensure our struggle is centred on maintaining the dominance of Malay-Muslim political power, which forms the foundation of our strength,” he said.
Cooperation beyond the Melaka election
Idris said efforts to strengthen ties between the two parties should not be confined to the Melaka election, but should form part of a broader political agenda aimed at Putrajaya.
“We have seen the wave of rejection against Pakatan Harapan in Sabah and Johor. We have loosened ties slightly in Negri Sembilan and now in Melaka.
“Next, this will be our roadmap towards Putrajaya,” he said.
Pas supporters urged to back Rais Yasin
Idris said Pas leaders and supporters in the Sungai Udang state constituency had been instructed to give Rais their full support.
He said efforts to reach voters should be expanded to various locations, including shops, wedding receptions and other community gathering places, to secure support for Rais.
“Make sure our family members who are living elsewhere return to vote and broaden our campaign outreach to secure Rais’s victory,” he said.
The Sungai Udang seat will see a three-cornered contest involving Rais, who is representing BN; Bersatu’s Major (Rtd) Abdullah Mahadi; and Mohd Ridzuan Abdul Rahman of Parti Bersama Malaysia.
