Penang PAS deputy chief Mujahid Yusuf Rawa has come out strongly against Malay unity talks with rival party Umno, as he is unwilling to be dragged into its ‘racist' agenda.

NONE Mujahid ( right ), who is Parit Buntar MP, said there is no question of unity between PAS and Umno, but instead there is a possibility that PAS will replace Umno to defend the Malays.

"The Malays have given Umno more than 50 years, therefore it is better to let PAS take over now. We have the advantage; we are grassroots based and we are not racist," said Mujahid in Penang yesterday.

"When Umno talks about Malay unity, we do not want to be dragged into their racist outlook," he added.

Mujahid was responding to Umno's incessant calls to PAS for unity talks to forge closer ties for the sake of Malay unity.

PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat has said that it was willing to meet Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin but only to discuss state-federal government cooperation and not Malay unity.

Recently, Muhyiddin welcomed any initiative by individuals or groups to facilitate unity among the Malays and Muslims and in playing a mediatory role between Umno and PAS.

Meanwhile, Malay right wing group, Perkasa had proposed the dissolution of Umno and PAS to make way for a new party that synthesises the Islamic and Malay nationalistic features to unite the Malays and Muslims.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said this should be the last resort should both parties refuse to discuss the future of Malays and Muslims in the country.

‘Mere political rhetoric'

Dismissing these suggestions as mere political rhetoric, Mujahid urged the non-Malay BN component parties like MCA and Gerakan to revise their stand and consider joining Pakatan Rakyat as they could contribute immensely to the people by doing so.

"Umno's boat is already sinking, please do not ask us to jump into the same boat and sink together with them," quipped Mujahid.

"Before this, they said PAS was a lost ( sesat ) party. I am wondering why Umno wants a ‘lost' party to unite with them."

Mujahid said the issue of Malay unity had taken centre stage again after Special Affairs Department (Jasa) analyst Lokman Nor Adam said PAS' struggle to form an Islamic country would be in vain as they are joining forces with DAP and PKR.

Lokman said the vision of an Islamic country will only become a reality if PAS and Umno unite and work together.

The former PKR member said this was because the DAP rejected an Islamic country while the PKR was pursuing the personal agenda of its leader.

Common manifesto to fight graft

Mujahid expressed dissatisfaction with Umno for continuously accusing PAS of being a DAP stooge ( kuda tunggangan ).

NONE "I am quite fed-up of explaining about this over and over again. With DAP, we have a common manifesto to fight corruption and to struggle for equality. We have no problems with that," he said.

"We do not want to become Malays who are racist. It is no point if we talk about Malay unity without addressing all these issues," he added.

Mujahid also said PAS could work with the DAP because the latter has never before questioned the rights of Malays enshrined in the federal constitution.

"Malays do not have to fret over their rights as they are protected by the constitution," he said.

"What they have to be worried about is the dangerous and racist political rhetoric by Umno," he added.