KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to announce the establishment of an organisation outside the political arena on the final day of the Umno General Assembly (Umno AGM) this Saturday (Jan 17).
The Umno president said the establishment of the organisation was proposed by him.
"The Cabinet has also approved it, and I will announce it on the final day of the Umno AGM,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of Multaqa Ilmuwan Islam Malaysia here on Tuesday (Jan 13).
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he did not rule out the possibility of inviting ulama and representatives of other political parties, including PAS, to the Multaqa Ilmuwan Islam Malaysia in the future.
"When it comes to religious matters, we must strive for unity of thought, and this is the approach we are taking. We intend to be open in doing so,” he said.
In his speech, Ahmad Zahid said the relationship between umara (rulers) and ulama (Islamic scholars) must be balanced to ensure the country’s administration is carried out based on trust, knowledge, wisdom and prudence.
He said meetings and discussions between umara and ulama are important to bridge the realities of the current administration with religious demands, so that decisions are not based on emotions or narrow political interests.
He also said he regarded a statement by former PAS spiritual leader, the late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - that PAS would dissolve if Umno placed Islam as the foundation of its constitution, as the last will and testament.
"When the late Tok Guru Nik Aziz made that statement, I regarded it as a ‘wasiat’. The first thing I did after taking over Umno's leadership was to place Islam in Umno's constitution.
"But PAS has not dissolved yet; I consider that PAS will dissolve on its own,” he said. — Bernama
