It is strange that while Umno leaders are quitting the party over its scandals, PAS has chosen to befriend its former arch enemy, said an Amanah deputy minister.

Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said PAS cosying up to Umno after 60 years of the latter “robbing the country and betraying the Malays” was in complete contrast to the action of several politicians over the past week.

“(The latter) acted to distance themselves and leave Umno, which is most wise and apt," he said in a statement today, referring to the exits of Umno former ministers Mustapa Mohamed and Anifah Aman this week.

“Although it is a little late, the move is nevertheless wise and correct as Umno has been embroiled in far too many scandals, with corruption being increasingly exposed publicly from day to day," he added.

For example, Raja Bahrin said, more details of the 1MDB scandal and the “missing” GST and tax refunds are being exposed.

“On the other hand, it is extremely strange that PAS has chosen to invite Umno's president and senior leaders to their muktamar recently.

“If PAS has previously used the analogy “mendukung biawak hidup” (carrying a monitor lizard on your back, courting trouble) for anyone who gets close to Umno, today, who are the ones not just carrying, but embracing the biawak?” he asked.

Prior to the 14th general election, PAS leaders had denied cooperating with Umno, but this changed dramatically after BN's humiliating defeat to Pakatan Harapan.

Since then, PAS and Umno have openly called their members to support each other in the three recent Selangor by-elections.

Following this, the two parties formally buried the hatchet when Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi led a delegation of top leaders to attend PAS' muktamar in Terengganu this month.

Raja Bahrin said the exit of the two Umno leaders was not the least surprising as MACC and police investigations have unveiled more and more cases against former premier Najib Razak and those linked to Umno.

He said the results of the 14th general election showed clearly that the people had chosen to “sack the party and leadership that has ruled for over 60 years, because of corruption and oppression, which PAS had also fought against at one time in the past”.

“Don't those who had lost the elections in the past, including PAS, respect the choice of the majority who has elected a new government?

“By embracing and propping Umno, which the people have rejected, it shows PAS doesn't care about corruption and oppression as practised by (the former ruling party),” he said.

Fatal attraction

Najib to date faces a total 32 charges related to 1MDB and its former subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd, under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the MACC Act 2009.

“Isn't the evidence by the police, MACC and (investigations) by several countries enough proof of Najib's abuses?

“PAS says it needs to work together with Umno to protect our race and religion.

“Isn't Umno the one that had pawned off a huge portion of our Malaysian-Malay economy to China through the rail, port, property and others at costs that are detrimental to us?

“This is a form of economic colonisation,” said Raja Bahrin, the former Kuala Terengganu MP.

He said not only has PAS remained silent on all these abuses, but they appear to accept it “wholeheartedly”.

He added Umno, which PAS is “so close to today” has betrayed the Malays by reducing Malay reserve land to only 12 percent after 60 years of rule, and have “ruined” the finances of Malay institutions such as Felda, Mara and Tabung Haji.

“So what is strange is, what makes PAS so attracted to Umno?

“That is the biggest question mark that haunts the minds of PAS followers and members,” he said.