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KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Parti Islam SeMalaysia has given its clearest signal yet that it was willing to open discussions with Umno on a possible collaboration – but on its terms.
Party president Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang said in a statement that PAS was always willing to accept anyone who was committed to reform, whether they were from Pakatan Rakyat or Umno, as long as they were: • Committed to maintaining strong Muslim leadership. • Fair to all Malaysians regardless of race and religion. • Committed to ensuring that Islam was the basis of unity among the Malays and fairness and justice was the basis of unity among other races. He noted that PAS was an experienced political player and has navigated different situations since independence in 1957: it had governed states, formed a coalition with the Federal government, worked together in an Opposition alliance and stood alone as the Opposition. Now party leaders were watching the situation that was unfolding in Umno with keen interest, he said. Malay non-governmental organisations have been urging PAS and Umno to put aside their different ideologies and come together to protect the Malays and Islam. These groups are uneasy over the future of Malay political power, noting that Chinese and Indians appear to be more vocal and demanding after Election 2008. There have been overtures by intermediaries of Umno to senior PAS leaders, suggesting that the arch enemies consider working together. So far, the response from the Islamic party has been lukewarm. Party veterans such as Abdul Hadi and Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat are open to the idea of some form of collaboration with Umno for the sake of Malay unity. The recent spat with Karpal Singh and other Democratic Action Party leaders over PAS’s position on the Islamic state and the power of Malay rulers has also planted some doubt in the minds of PAS politicians over the viability of a long-term relationship with DAP. Still, no one in Pas is falling over themselves to get into a coalition with Umno. The prevalent sentiment in the party was put forward by Husam Musa recently when he warned PAS from falling into the trap set by Umno. He noted that every time Umno found its political power challenged, it raised concerns over the future of Malay political power. For a brief period from 1973 to 1978, PAS joined the BN but the experience was bitter for the Islamic party. After the 1974 general election, the then PM Tun Abdul Razak named Mohamed Nasir as the menteri besar of Kelantan, sidelining the PAS candidate. Nasir’s action led to a vote of no-confidence in the state legislature against him. This triggered rallies and protests in support of the MB. Citing public security, the federal government put Kelantan under emergency rule. Pas refused to support the emergency legislation, ending its membership in BN. PAS suffered an expensive lesson and lost the state elections in 1978 to Umno and were given an even more severe beating in the general elections several months later. This bitter experience of working together with BN and Umno is embedded in the minds of many Pas politicians. But they cannot be seen to be rejecting any olive branch from Umno outright. It is likely that the issue of Malay unity and any collaboration with Umno will be discussed at the party’s general assembly in Ipoh in August. - The Malaysian Insider
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The Blogs 
I don't know whether Datuk Hadi is mixed up or he has been misquoted. Islam should be the basis of unity among Muslims and fairness and justice, among non-Muslims.
There is no need for any race-based categorisation. I will not be surprised if the Malaysian Insider is promoting the race factor to subtly support UMNO politics.