Umno must lead Malay political unity pact, says Tok Mat

Umno must lead Malay political unity pact, says Tok Mat

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno must spearhead any cooperation aimed at forging Malay-Muslim political unity, its deputy president, Mohamad Hasan, said.

Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat, said Umno had been deceived by others in past efforts to forge Malay-Muslim political unity, adding that this bitter experience could not be forgotten.

“Umno will not allow itself to be manipulated anymore. That is why Umno is very cautious now. We do not want a repeat of that horrible experience.

“(Malay political unity) must be based on the ‘Rumah Bangsa’ vision. Any Malay political cooperation that isn’t formed according to the spirit and aspirations of ‘Rumah Bangsa’ will not benefit Umno.

“This (Malay political) cooperation must be spearheaded by Umno. Umno must be its foundation and cornerstone,” he said when officiating the general assemblies of Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno here tonight.

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Umno and PAS, the country’s two largest Malay-Muslim political parties, were allies under the now-defunct Muafakat Nasional pact.

They rekindled their relationship after Barisan Nasional and PAS-led Perikatan Nasional contested in the Negeri Sembilan state election under a pact, winning a two-thirds majority.

Their handsome win has led to calls for BN and PN to continue their pact in future elections, including the next general election, which analysts said could allow the pact to form the next federal government.

Mohamad, who is also the BN deputy chairman, said Umno was the “midwife” that birthed Malay nationalism and would continue to be the umbrella for Malay unity.

The Rembau MP said any political pact aimed at establishing Malay unity must remain flexible, rejecting binding agreements between parties.

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He said Umno did not need to be part of a new political coalition, and would remain in BN “now and forever”.

“Any cooperation must be flexible. It should be a loose understanding and cooperation, not a binding agreement. We do not like being tied down, nor do we like tying others down.

“Umno wants the freedom to act according to its political calculations,” he said.