Perak Mufti pushes Umno line in unity talks
By Syed Mu’az Syed Putra, The Malaysian Insider
Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria has continued to speak on behalf of Umno in its push for unity talks with PAS, despite the Islamist party’s overt snubbing of the idea.
The government-appointed Islamic cleric claimed today that Datuk Seri Najib Razak has agreed to work with PAS in the interest of Malay-Muslim unity and wanted the matter to proceed unconditionally.
According to Harussani, Najib had raised the issue after a meeting with the members of the national fatwa council yesterday, which touched on the issue of Malay unity.
“The prime minister has agreed but there must be no condition. He wanted the discussion between PAS and Umno to be sped up to preserve the Malay-Muslim unity in the country,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
“But he asked PAS to be consistent in their commitment,” he added.
Najib had previously said that Umno has always been open to discussions with PAS, as long as they lead to Malay unity.
Harussani also said he was disappointed with PAS leaders who accused him of lying after he refused to reveal the identities of the leaders from both parties said to have met with him.
“PAS can continue calling me a liar, but God knows the truth,” he added.
He said he refused to disclose the names because he wanted to protect his good ties with the leaders.
“Why should I reveal the names? If I do that they might fight among themselves and I have to keep their secrets,” said Harussani.
