Umno and PAS leaders have rejected Urimai chairman P Ramasamy’s warning about cooperation between the two parties, saying any alliance would not have a “big brother”.
Umno Ulama Council deputy chairman Khairuddin Aman Razali said any pact between Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS would not be solely about political survival, but would also concern the interests of the Malay and Muslim communities.
He described Ramasamy’s warning about the risks of such cooperation as an attempt to undermine efforts to promote Malay political unity.
“As for other issues involving seats, they require win-win negotiations as long as they do not disrupt the original purpose of the understanding.
“In all circumstances, Islam and the Malays will benefit,” he told FMT.
Leaders stress mutual respect
Khairuddin said negotiations between Umno and PAS should be based on mutual respect and compromise rather than which party would be the “big brother”.
“There is no such thing as a ‘big brother’ in the negotiations. What matters is mutual respect and compromise.
“Malay and Muslim unity must also go beyond political parties to include NGOs and Muslim figures outside party circles,” he said.
PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad said Ramasamy’s warning would not derail efforts to unite Malays and Muslims.
He said Malay-Muslim unity should not be viewed solely from a political perspective, as it also involved religious obligations.
Iskandar likewise dismissed the question of which party would become the “big brother” if an alliance were formed ahead of the next general election.
PAS points to strength in Parliament and states
“The question of a ‘big brother’ does not arise because PAS and Umno each have their own strengths.
“Umno may be in the government, but PAS has more MPs. In terms of state assemblymen, PAS has 151 while Umno has 102, and both have menteris besar,” he said.
Iskandar said what mattered more was an understanding and relationship based on Islamic brotherhood.
Ramasamy had warned Umno yesterday to consider the “biggest” risk of working with PAS in the next general election.
The former DAP leader said Umno could gain an immediate electoral advantage from cooperation by preventing a split in the Malay vote, but PAS could eventually overtake or sideline BN in the Malay heartlands.
