Umno, PAS aim to align in every state in the country

Comrades: Zahid (left) and Hadi raising their hands to show unity as they arrive for the Kedah-level PAS-Umno National Unity Convention.

ALOR SETAR: The political cooperation between Umno and PAS will be a reality not only in the four states currently led by these parties but eventually in other states in Malaysia, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Just wait, when the time comes, this cooperation will be manifested not only in the four states but also other states like Kedah, ” he told reporters during a press conference after the Kedah Muafakat Nasional (National Unity) Convention here yesterday.

On Friday, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the cooperation between Umno and PAS was to save several Umno leaders who had cases pending in court.

Muhkriz also reportedly said Pakatan Harapan in Kedah did not feel threatened by the political pact between Umno and PAS.

Ahmad Zahid said what was important now was that the cooperation was done in a holistic way and not solely driven by a political agenda but based on the belief, faith and sincerity of the leaders and members of both parties.

He also reminded Mukhriz to accept whatever decision by the rakyat in the next general election.

“The real power lies with the rakyat. When the time comes, they (Pakatan) have to accept it, ” he said.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the political cooperation between the two parties was done to save Muslims and the Malay community in the country as well as the other races.

He said PAS had a history of working together with Umno and Barisan Nasional during independence and after the May 13 tragedy.

Earlier, both leaders arrived at the Tabung Haji Hotel here to attend the first ever state-level convention held after the signing of the joint charter between the two parties at a mega gathering in Putra World Trade Centre on Sept 14.

The convention was also attended by two former Kedah mentri besars – Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Tan Sri Osman Aroff.

More than 2,000 Umno and PAS party members attended the event.