PETALING JAYA: The decision by PAS leaders to continue to be with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in Perikatan Nasional and ditch Umno altogether is "not a very clever one", says Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
The Pasir Salak MP said that being one of the main founders of Muafakat Nasional - the loose coalition between Umno and PAS formed after the last general election - he was saddened that all the hard work and money spent to bring the two biggest Malay parties together had gone down the drain.
"This proposed cooperation then led to the Himpunan Maruah Melayu (Malay Unity Gathering) in September 2019, which even struck fear in the then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad), who followed up with Malay Dignity Congress on Oct 6 in 2019.
"I want to make a final appeal to PAS to rethink before the leaders completely ditch Umno for good during the election.
"This is the time all Malay-based parties should come together and everyone should set aside their egos for the sake of Malay unity.
"This is not the time to fight and tear at each other in a three-corner fight ... tearing each other apart will only benefit the Opposition Pakatan Harapan.
"And we must remember, if they take over Putrajaya again, they will not make the same mistakes they did back in 2018," said Tajuddin after a meeting with Pasir Salak Umno.
The long-time Umno member said that it was useless to say that post general election, Umno and PAS would come together should either one of them need support to form a government.
"No point talking about post-polls cooperation if we cannot work together now. I am hoping PAS leaders will lead by example and take the hand extended by Umno.
"I understand there were conditions put to them, which made them make the decision to stay on with Perikatan, but I am sure for the sake of Malay unity, any problem can be sorted, even if it involves Bersatu, which is made up of many ex-Umno people," said Tajuddin.
Tajuddin also said that he hoped he could still serve his incumbent constituency during the coming polls.
Tajuddin was recently suspended from Umno for speaking out against the party's leaders.
