PAS-Umno alliance does not turn Malaysia into a Taliban state says Najib

(FMT) – Najib Razak today maintained that there is no need to worry over the Umno-PAS alliance, following concerns by some that it could be detrimental to race relations in the country.

The former prime minister said while the cooperation between the parties is to safeguard the interest of Muslims, “we will still take care of the other races”.

“So no one should worry about PAS and Umno joining forces,” he told reporters at the Dewan Rakyat lobby.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said several days ago that Umno and PAS were trying to isolate the Malays from other communities as the two parties work to formalise ties.

He said the move was “very bad for a multiracial country”, adding that it would undermine racial equality.

PAS and Umno are currently negotiating the terms of their cooperation under a joint committee, saying the move is to strengthen Malay unity.

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob meanwhile said those who were vocal about the alliance were worried.

“That’s why they make statements which are uncalled for. If they were not afraid, they would not say such things.”

He was referring to a comment by DAP deputy secretary-general Nga Kor Ming, who reportedly said that the Umno-PAS union could lead to Malaysia becoming a Taliban state.