With 'cut-off date' near, PAS still hopes to unite Bersatu, Umno

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man disagrees with Muhyiddin Yassin that the Islamist party must choose between Perikatan Nasional (PN) or Umno in the 15th general election (GE15).

“I think there shouldn’t be any ultimatum issued to us. What is important is we have to unite. Every quarter, especially PN and BN, should look at the future. The country has to be politically stable,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

This came after Muhyiddin, who is PN chairperson, said PAS would soon have a cut-off date to decide its future in PN and whether to continue pursuing cooperation with Umno.

Tuan Ibrahim (above ) insisted that PAS will work with both Bersatu and Umno for the sake of the unity of the ummah, adding that there is still time to unite the two parties to face GE15.

Tuan Ibrahim also suggested that both parties hold discussions to explore a possible political pact in GE15.

“I think we need to hold a meeting (to unite Umno and Bersatu) and the media have to assist us in the context of the unity of ummah,” he said.

“I feel that how Bersatu reacted was also caused by Umno’s reaction. It takes two. I think both parties should sit together given that Bersatu leaders were previously part of the Umno leadership. 

“PAS has a longer history of fighting Umno compared to Bersatu, so I think there is room for us to sit together and discuss,” he said.  

Muhyiddin had previously declared that the Umno-led BN coalition is PN’s main enemy in GE15, contradicting PAS’ stance on the matter. PAS is part of the PN coalition.

Tuan Ibrahim’s remark, however, contradicted PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin, who said yesterday the party may make a final decision on whether to side with Umno or Bersatu next week.

Meanwhile, Umno has called for a ceasefire its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi met with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

PAS had argued that having all three Malay-Muslim parties united would be the basis of a strong and stable government.

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