PETALING JAYA: Calling for wisdom and restraint to avoid divisions within the community, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said PAS will take a softer approach in its efforts to strengthen Malay-Muslim unity, particularly in its ties with Umno.
The PAS president said the approach had helped change its relations with Umno, which he said had previously been tough on the party.
“Before, they (Umno) used to ‘yell’ at us. Now, they whisper to us,” he said, drawing shouts of ‘takbir’ from the floor.
“If two individuals are in love, they will whisper, but if they are angry with each other, they will yell,” he said, drawing laughter from the delegates.
“This is the kind of approach we want to adopt and implement. Do not worry about what we will do after we win,” said Abdul Hadi in his winding-up speech at the 72nd PAS muktamar.
“Some people ask, if PAS wins, who will become prime minister? We do not need to fight over who will become prime minister.
“Whoever is chosen is for us to decide. What is important is that we get to work and resolve the divisions and crises that have occurred,” he said.
At a press conference, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan dismissed speculation that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s absence at the muktamar was a sign that there would be no cooperation between PAS and Umno in the upcoming Melaka polls.
Calling the assumption unfounded, he said political negotiations between PAS and Umno were still ongoing and that discussions would likely resume “in a day or two”.
Takiyuddin also said Perikatan Nasional would hold a meeting this month to discuss efforts to strengthen political cooperation, with preparations for the Melaka polls and strategy reviews ahead of the next general election among the main agendas.
He said PAS remained confident that the relationship between Perikatan and Barisan Nasional was positive and on track but clarified that no negotiations involving Pakatan Harapan or PKR were part of the current cooperation talks.
In a reciprocal move, PAS confirmed it would attend the 2026 Umno general assembly starting Sept 9, with Takiyuddin saying he was among four top party leaders scheduled to attend.
