“Malay unity” is Umno’s code to win over PAS, says Singapore daily
(TMI) – This week’s Umno general assembly will see more calls for PAS and Umno to come together for “Malay unity”, a phrase which the Singapore Straits Times today described as “code for trying to win over PAS”.
The paper reported that such calls from Umno conservatives were to solidify its Malay support, as majority of non-Malays have long abandoned Barisan Nasional.
The paper however noted that the open invitation from Umno to PAS to join talks on fostering Malay unity could be a tough call for the Islamic party.
It quoted one analyst as saying that spurning the offer from Umno would have negative consequences to PAS.
“If PAS does not respond positively to an invitation to hold talks, it implies that PAS as a party does not want Malay unity,” said Abdul Ghapa Harun from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The paper reported that PAS had been quick to reassure its allies in Pakatan Rakyat that agreeing to talk with Umno did not mean abandoning the coalition.
PAS currently holds 21 seats in the Parliament, while PKR has 30 and DAP has 38. BN holds the remaining seats in the 222-seat Parliament.
As such, any break-up in the opposition coalition would mean a huge win for Umno, as this secures for the BN a two-third majority in Parliament, the daily added.
“The right wing of Umno wants to push for a stronger Malay coalition. So if the party feels it can work with PAS to achieve this, why not?” asked Professor Faisal Hazis of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
