Our work with Umno ‘depresses’ Amanah, says PAS leader

Dewan ulama info chief defends participation in Umno event overseas, says PAS’ image as defenders of Islam improving in the eyes of the people.

(FMT) – Some Amanah leaders are “depressed” because PAS has succeeded in getting Umno to help strengthen Islam, says a PAS leader.

Speaking to FMT, PAS dewan ulama information chief, Khairuddin Aman Razali said PAS’s success had boosted its image in the eyes of the people.

He was responding to a statement by Amanah communications director Khalid Samad who claimed the participation of PAS leaders in an Umno programme overseas was an effort to help Barisan Nasional repair its reputation.

Khalid also said the decision of some PAS leaders to get close to Umno leaders was among the reasons some former PAS leaders left the party to form Amanah.

Recently, Khairuddin and PAS’s Pengkalan Chepa MP Mohd Izani Husin travelled with Umno Supreme Council member Jamil Khir Baharom for an Umno Overseas Club event in London, a move which led to speculation about PAS and Umno’s political ties.

However, Khairuddin said there was nothing wrong with them participating in the Umno event, as it provided them the chance to speak to overseas Malaysians about politics and issues back home.

Among these issues, Khairuddin said was the proposed amendments to the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

“If Umno is ready to help PAS strengthen the shariah courts, then it shows Umno is ready to accept mutual interests first and strengthen Islam. This is a success for PAS and we will continue to build our image as defenders of Islam in the eyes of Umno members.”

On the other hand, Khairuddin said Amanah and its leaders, including Khalid, would instead prefer to defend DAP’s stand in opposing the private member’s bill by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to amend the act.

“When someone like Khalid is ‘depressed’ about PAS leaders attending an Umno event, it shows Amanah is afraid of PAS’s standing in the eyes of the people.”

PAS had reportedly said on several occasions that it will not have any political cooperation with Umno, as decided by the PAS Syura Council, the party’s highest decision-making body.

However, PAS also said that it would work with any party when it came to issues pertaining to Islam.