PAS MUKTAMAR | Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today made good on his word by leading a delegation of top party leaders to the PAS muktamar in Kuala Terengganu.

Clad in a chartreuse baju Melayu, the opposition leader was first received by PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan and later by PAS central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz and ulama chief Mahfodz Mohamed.

Among the top Umno leaders accompanying Zahid were vice-presidents Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mahdzir Khalid, along with secretary-general Annuar Musa.

Notably absent were Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan and vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Besides Umno, several MIC leaders also made an appearance at the muktamar, including its deputy president SK Devamany and central working committee member M Saravanan. No top leaders from MCA were present. 

As Zahid walked into the Kuala Terengganu Stadium at around 8.40am, PAS delegates approached him and politely shook his hands.

Zahid was ushered onto the stage where he took his seat alongside the top PAS leadership.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang arrived at the venue some 15 minutes later. After shaking hands and exchanging kisses on the cheek, Zahid held Hadi's arm as they exchanged words.

Other Umno leaders took their seats in the first row, among PAS delegates.

In a press conference later, Zahid said that Umno's attendance at the event was based on the nature of cooperation among opposition parties – but warned against interpreting it as tahalluf siyasi, or a formal coalition between Umno and PAS.

The Umno president also told reporters that invitations to its general assembly on Sept 30 have been extended to Hadi and other top PAS leaders.

Meanwhile, Devamany told reporters at the muktamar that MIC's presence was to mark their new direction, which is to work together with any parties for a better Malaysia.

"This is a new direction, to work together with anyone who has 'denyutan bangsa Malaysia' (bangsa Malaysia in their heart) in developing the country and redistributing wealth, as well as for political cooperation.

"This is a new relationship. We (MIC) had a meeting with top leaders in Kuala Lumpur, following which we are here to mark our intention of working together for a more prosperous Malaysia," he said.

On Thursday, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had also attended the opening of the PAS Youth muktamar.

Zahid first received his invitation to the muktamar while campaigning for PAS in the Seri Setia by-election.

Upon receiving the invitation, Zahid vowed to bring the entire top leadership, including his deputy, to the annual PAS gathering.

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