Kelantan Umno says PAS divisive under flip-flopping Nik Aziz

(The Malaysian Insider) KUALA KRAI, July 7 — Kelantan Umno leaders attempted to reverse Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) rhetoric by claiming that it was PAS who has engaged in “divide and rule” tactics.

They also questioned the consistency of Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, accusing the PAS spriritual leader of flip-flopping over issues in an attempt to raise doubts among voters about the influential cleric who holds sway over the predominantly Malay Muslim state.

On the first night of official campaigning in the Manek Urai by-election, villagers in Kampung Laloh were sent a message that seemed to fly in the face of general perception.

Former Kelantan Umno chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa them that PAS is a party that wants to divide Malaysians and abuse Islam.

“PAS hates Umno, but Umno does not hate PAS. If we played politics of hate, as federal government, Umno would have flattened PAS long ago,” the former rural development minister said.

He added that the divisive politics of PAS might make it strong but it resulted in a weak government as it created enemies and disunity.

“But even if you do not vote for Umno, you are still our citizens and we still care for you. Now is not the time for divide and rule but to think of the future,” he said.

Annuar then acknowledged that Umno was weak but only because it did not use Islam for political gains and that it was due to racial politics that it suffered losses in last year’s general elections.

He then said that while non-Malays were now supporting PAS in droves, one must ask “why Malays support PAS when it weakens Malay political power.”

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