Its information chief, Nasrudin Hasan, today accused them of trying to show their might in criticising PAS for going its own way by ending its political cooperation with PKR.
“If PAS is nothing at all, then why do they need to be restless? Why do they need to question PAS’ decision (to sever ties)?” he told reporters during Federal Territory PAS’ election convention held here today.
“We are not being arrogant and boastful, but I differ with anyone who belittles our position.”
He was commenting on Anwar’s statement yesterday expressing regret about PAS’ decision to terminate its “tahaluf siyasi” (political cooperation) with PKR.
Nasrudin added that Umno should also not be politically opportunistic following PAS’ break-up with PKR.
He said PAS is cautious of Umno, and is therefore focusing on strengthening its Gagasan Sejahtera coalition, which comprises PAS, Parti Ikatan Rakyat Malaysia (Ikatan) and Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa).
“We do not want to be deluded or influenced to go along with the course and direction of another party, which has its own interests at heart, as we have our own policies to follow,” he said.
“This warning is not just to Umno, but to all political parties.”
On the suggestion by Umno’s elder politician Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah that the two parties revive the tie-up they had in the 1970s when facing the next general election, Nasrudin said PAS has already publicly stated the collaboration that it wants to have.
“We are open and can work together in any cooperation that benefits Islam, the people and the country, but not over any matter that harms Islam,” he said.
On May 11, PAS’ Syura Council endorsed the decision of the party’s muktamar (general assembly) to end the “tahaluf siyasi” with PKR which it claimed had violated conditions related to Islamic matters.
Anwar was reported yesterday as being disappointed with the rationale given for the cancellation, saying PKR had tried its best to keep the political relationship alive.
He did not accept the excuse that it was over PAS’ move to bring about shariah amendments in Parliament, saying PKR had respected the party’s tabling of the motion and had proposed that it be referred to a select committee.
He said it was prime minister and Umno president Najib Razak who had stressed that the bill would not be pursued as a government matter.
“It is strange that Umno was not blamed this time,” he said.