An Umno leader has asserted that the party’s Rumah Bangsa initiative is strictly in line with Islamic principles, dismissing allegations that the agenda lacks a religious foundation.
Umno ulama council deputy chairman Khairuddin Aman Razali stated that such efforts are consistent with Islamic teachings. He suggested that those who reject the initiative under various pretexts are merely exploiting religion to further their political interests.
Khairuddin noted that when any Muslim politician rejects an agenda aimed at uniting the ummah, it reveals whether they are truly fighting for Islamic politics or simply using religion as a tool for personal gain.
PAS cites concerns over nationalism
This defense follows a statement by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who indicated that his party is not prepared to support the initiative. Hadi argued that the movement to unite the Malays is not centered on Islam.
He explained that this conclusion was reached following observations made by a PAS representative during a meeting chaired by Umno last week. According to Hadi, the gathering appeared to focus on promoting Malay unity through the lens of nationalism rather than Islamic tenets.
The meeting in question took place on March 5 at the Umno headquarters, where representatives from eight political parties gathered to seek common ground on matters concerning the Malays, Bumiputeras, and Islam.
Multi-party participation at Umno headquarters
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki confirmed the attendance of various political groups at the discussion. The participants included representatives from PAS, PKR, Amanah, and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah.
Other parties present were Berjasa, Parti Kongres India Muslim Malaysia, and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia. Despite the subsequent criticisms from the party leadership, PAS was represented at the session by its secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan.
The disagreement highlights a continuing rift between the two largest Malay-based parties regarding the framework for communal cooperation and the role of religious ideology in political unity.
