On Dec 28, Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said he hoped other political parties, including from PH, would join the solidarity rally for the former Umno president.

“So far, Amanah and PH have not held any discussions on this,” Amanah communications director Khalid Samad told FMT.

PAS’s rally will be held on the same day that the Court of Appeal hears Najib’s application for leave to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest, which he claimed was issued in a supplementary order to the pardons board’s Feb 2 announcement.

Yesterday, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng hit out at Umno for joining hands with PAS to hold the rally.

Lim, who is also the DAP chairman, said this would raise doubts about Umno’s sincerity in being a partner in the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In a statement yesterday, Puad said Umno had never discussed or intended to cooperate with PAS to organise the event.