Umno veep: Muafakat Nasional now exists in name only
PAS' decision to dishonour the Muafakat Nasional pact during the Malacca state election meant that the pact now exists in name only, said Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
"It is clear that Muafakat is difficult to exist. PAS' decision meant Muafakat exists in name only, but not in spirit.
"Calls for muafakat for unity of the ummah sounds good. But in politics...
PAS' decision to dishonour the Muafakat Nasional pact during the Malacca state election meant that the pact now exists in name only, said Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
"It is clear that Muafakat is difficult to exist. PAS' decision meant Muafakat exists in name only, but not in spirit.
"Calls for muafakat for unity of the ummah sounds good. But in politics, other interests take precedence," he said.
The eight-paragraph Muafakat Nasional charter was signed in September 2019 wherein the two parties agreed to collectively offer a new deal for Malaysians.
Although Muafakat was not explicitly an electoral pact, the two parties had formed a joint secretariat to explore ways to cooperate. PAS had backed Umno during several by-elections since 2018.
However, Muafakat took a back seat when Bersatu and PAS formed the Perikatan Nasional coalition last year.
During the upcoming Malacca elections on Nov 20, Umno and PAS will compete against each other for seven seats.
Multiracial is the way to go
Khaled (above) said PAS' decision had now given Umno an "opportunity to return to BN" which he described as "moderate, multicultural, and progressive".
"Umno is aware that the path to victory is support from all races and not just Malays. Cooperation between Malay parties is not the only way to become the government," he said.
He said any party which wants to win now will depend on better policy offerings, dynamic leadership, sustainable economic plans, and understanding the youths.
"Just tallying the number of votes received by Umno, PAS, and Bersatu as an indication of victory is too simplistic. Malaysian politics is not simple.
"Because politics is complicated, BN is the best bet for Umno and for Malaysia. The rest are just peripheral," he said.
PAS should stay with PN
Khaled said Umno being against working with Bersatu is not a sign that Umno is sidelining the needs of the Malays and Muslims.
He explained that Bersatu was clearly designed to replace Umno and PAS should understand this.
"Therefore, PAS need not broker peace between Umno and Bersatu, Umno has never tried to broker peace between PAS and Amanah in the name of Muslim unity because Umno knows their history.
"PAS cannot bind Umno to Muafakat and at the same time desire PN. PAS should continue to be with PN and not be confused about what it wants.
"In politics, no party should be trying to benefit from everyone else, in all situations all the time," he said.
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