Takiyuddin rubbishes Tok Mat’s claim that PAS wants to kill Umno

PETALING JAYA: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s remarks that PAS “wants to kill” Umno has been described as absurd by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (pic).

The PAS secretary-general instead claimed that the country’s political history showed that it was Umno which had been determined to eliminate PAS, which included an attempt to ban it at some point in the past.

He said as an Islamist party, PAS was always determined to unite Muslims and Malays in the country.

Takiyuddin said PAS was committed to efforts to unite the ummah and people of various races and religions for a peaceful and harmonious nation.

“In that regard, PAS will continue to be open and ready to hold meetings, discussions and negotiations with any party by focusing on points of commonality and bridging differences for the good of the people and country,” he said in a statement yesterday.

In his address during the opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri assemblies on Wednesday, Mohamad had said that PAS had been talking to all political sides, including Perikatan Nasional.

He was quoted as saying that PAS had never been loyal and sincere, and that it had shamelessly cheated all parties, especially Umno’s “widow”, in a reference to Bersatu.

Mohamad explained that Umno was working with DAP in the unity government because DAP was not pretentious and did not fake their friendships.