‘Up to the syura council to decide on collaborations’

KUALA TERENGGANU: The PAS syura council will have the final say on any proposed political collaboration with other parties, including Umno.

The 64th PAS muktamar unanimously adopted a motion that gave the mandate to the council and PAS leadership to decide on any political alliances.

The motion did not specifically mention Umno or any other party but it reflected one of the main talking points of the assembly – the alliance between PAS and Umno.

“We are asking that a mandate be given to the syura council and the PAS central leadership to decide on the direction and the role of PAS among opposition parties,” the motion read.

“The syura council will then fina­lise whatever decision is made.

“An official statement on the matter should be issued by the syura council,” it added.

The motion was proposed by the Kota Raja and Lenggong PAS divisions.

On Saturday, Umno leaders, including its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, attended the opening of the general assembly.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the relationship between Umno and PAS was a formal political collaboration of opposition parties.

Also present were MIC leaders, led by its deputy president Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany, who confirmed their wish to be allied with PAS.

In his keynote address, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party, under the Islamic concept of tahalluf (cooperation), was willing to be friendly with political opponents for the greater good.

The assembly also saw PAS giving a resounding “no” to the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) in Malaysia.

Delegates unanimously voted to reject the UEC being used for admission into public universities and the public sector.