Hadi to meet Nik Aziz over Christmas Eve unity talk
By Adib Zalkapli and G Manimaran, The Malaysian Insider
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali will meet Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today over unity talks with Umno leaders organised recently by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Malaysian Insider understands the meeting has been called to avoid further embarrassment to the party following reports of a secret meeting with Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last Christmas Eve at Istana Terengganu here.
It is learnt that Hadi (picture) and his deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa had also attended the unity talks hosted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. Both are seen as the leading lights in the pro-Umno faction within the Islamist party.
“They will address the controversy surrounding the unity talk before Tuan Guru Nik Aziz officially explains the issue on behalf of the party,” said a PAS insider familiar with the issue.
The Malaysian Insider reported yesterday that Nik Aziz had attended a private Christmas Eve dinner, hosted by the King, with the prime minister and his deputy at Istana Terengganu.
The dinner was seen as another attempt to revive the talks on political co-operation with Umno in the name of Malay/Muslim unity.
The Kelantan mentri besar confirmed the meeting with Najib, but refused to disclose what transpired at the dinner.
But The Malaysian Insider understands that the Christmas Eve meeting was initiated by former Prime Minister Abdullah who, in the aftermath of Election 2008, attempted to form a unity government with PAS leaders.
Sources familiar with the latest move to bring PAS into the Barisan Nasional (BN) government revealed that both Hadi and Nasharuddin would be given a prominent role in Putrajaya if the party decides to abandon Pakatan Rakyat (PR), but Nik Aziz continues to be the major obstacle in bringing PAS closer to the ruling coalition.
The majority of PAS central committee members, however, were kept in the dark about the meeting, with some describing it as a disaster for the party as it took place less than a week after PR’s second convention.
“I have heard about it, but nobody has offered any official explanation. I believe the move is crazy as general election is just around the corner. It will be difficult for us to do damage control,” said a PAS central committee member who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Another senior PAS leader described the move to meet with Umno leaders as a violation of the party’s resolution to remain in PR.
“The last three muktamars have decided that the party should remain in Pakatan and to work towards taking over Umno’s role,” said the member of the party’s political bureau.
“The meeting was an act of indiscipline and betrayal,” he added.
Meanwhile, former secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jafar said PAS leaders now owe an explanation to its members and PR parties.
