Mukhriz urges PAS to follow up on unity govt move

(The Star) – Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has urged PAS to follow Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s suggestion that PAS proposes its idea of a unity government in writing to Barisan Nasional.

But Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said he was against the idea of a Barisan-PAS unity government, as mooted by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

“It’s been tried before but did not work out. PAS was not appreciated in the coalition and I have many misgivings about this,” Nik Abdul Aziz told reporters in Kota Baru yesterday, adding, however, that it was his personal opinion and the matter needed to be deliberated at PAS’ Muktamar (annual general assembly) in June.

Mukhriz, an Umno Youth exco member, said he had suggested in the past that PAS return to the Barisan fold “so that we can run this country in peace.”

Abdul Hadi had recently called for the formation of a Federal Govern-ment comprising Barisan and Pakatan Rakyar leaders.

In response, Muhyiddin reportedly asked PAS to furnish more details on the proposal, stating that it should come officially from the top leaders of the party.

Yesterday, PAS Youth voiced its support for the move, saying it was timely.

On the DAP’s opposition to the unity government, Mukhriz said that party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was putting DAP’s grip on political power above national interest.

Lim has demanded that Abdul Hadi explained what he meant by a unity government to PKR and the DAP, PAS’ allies in the Opposition pact.

“As for the DAP, there is no such thing as the formation of such a government,” Lim said last Friday.

Lim, however, said the DAP would continue to co-operate with the Barisan-led government to revive the country’s economy.