'It's official, we're married' - Umno and PAS formalise ties

Umno and PAS today announced the formalisation of their ties, which acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan described as their "wedding ceremony."

After a two-hour meeting between top leaders in Kuala Lumpur, Mohamad and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said at a press conference that their parties will now move towards a "more formal" working relationship.

Both said that their cooperation is founded on the agenda of uniting the ummah (community).

"This (cooperation) started long ago. First, we sent the 'engagement ring' at Sungai Kandis, then we got 'engaged' in Seri Setia.

"And today, this is our 'wedding ceremony'. It is formal, that is why we are doing (announcing) it like this. 

"It is official. We are married," Mohamad quipped.

The Umno leader was referring to the polls in Sungai Kandis and Seri Setia, which saw PAS giving way to Umno and lending their support for the election campaigns.

He also told reporters that Umno and PAS agreed to extend their cooperation in any future by-elections.

The terms of this cooperation, he added, will be hashed out by a joint technical committee chaired by vice-presidents from both parties.

'Unity of ummah'

Mohamad insisted that the cooperation between Umno and PAS will uphold the spirit of ethnic and religious diversity, and not leave any sidelined.

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"In our discussion today, we talked about the way forward for the unity of ummah in this country. Because this is what will guarantee the stability of the country.

"(We agreed) to strengthen unity among all races, languages, cultures and religions.

"This unity of ummah takes into account the diversity of Malaysian society, without sidelining any religion or race," he said.

Echoing Mohamad's remarks, Tuan Ibrahim added that the concept of ummah undergirding Umno-PAS cooperation would benefit the country.

Asked if the PAS grassroots had accepted the decision, he said it could be seen clearly from the outcomes of the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections.

"We can see from the cooperation in the two by-elections... It proves that our grassroots are taking to the cooperation well. The rakyat also welcomed it."

When met after the press conference, Mohamad did not dismiss the possibility of Umno following PAS' decision to voice support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad if a no-confidence vote is initiated in Parliament against the premier.

"If there is a need to, and it's for a good cause, why not? 

"That is what I said earlier, that the caucus (of opposition) does not mean that we will oppose (everything).

"We will support any policies that are approved for the benefit of the people and the country," he told reporters.

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