Nik Aziz insists on ‘muzakarah’, ignores Hadi
The PAS spiritual leader said he is firm on holding talks with Umno regardless of what the party’s top leaders think.
(Free Malaysia Today) – PAS spiritual leader Niz Abdul Aziz Nik Mat insisted on having a dialogue on Muslim unity with archrival Umno despite denial by president Abdul Hadi Awang that such talks will take place.
Nik Aziz, the Kelantan Menteri Besar, was quoted by Malay daily Sinar Harian as saying he would pursue the idea despite rejection from the party’s top leadership, a move that could renew suspicion of PAS’ loyalty to Pakatan Rakyat.
Relations between the Islamist party and its allies were rocky after allegations of a covert meeting allegedly aimed at sealing a possible cooperation between PAS and Umno surfaced just after the 12th general polls.
“The president disagrees with the muzakarah [goodwill discussion] but never mind if he disagrees. This is my decision and it has nothing to do with anyone else so I am not concerned if others disagree,” he said.
“Whatever their opinion is, it is up to them. I am firm with my decision to hold talks with them (Umno),” Nik Aziz added.
The proposed talks between the two parties were revived two weeks ago when Nik Aziz said the party was willing to hold talks with any party including Umno or non-governmental organisations to further Muslim unity in the country.
Leverage?
The idea was well-received by Umno but several top PAS leaders later said that the ruling party took the proposal as a political union when it was strictly an offer to explain its stand on religious matters.
Nik Aziz later set conditions for any proposed muzakarah to be held before the coming general election, which Umno leaders criticised as insincere.
Some like Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin suggested that the move was PAS’ way of leveraging for more seats and playing a leading role in Pakatan Rakyat.
Being the party with the most numbers and representing the country’s majority voters, Khairy said the Islamist party was flexing its muscle in a warning against its allies that its departure from the bloc would be detrimental to their election goals.
This idea was further strengthened by the squabble between PAS and the DAP over the former’s hudud ambition. But PAS’s denial that the Islamic penal law would be implemented if Pakatan takes over federal power was seen as major compromise for the Islamist party.
