Nik Aziz holds private meet to reject unity gov't
Jimadie Shah OthmanPublished: Jun 10, 2009 5:55 AM | Updated: Jun 11, 2009 3:03 AM
Further cracks are appearing among the top echelon of PAS over party president Abdul Hadi Awang's suggestion to form a unity government with Umno.
Further cracks are appearing among the top echelon of PAS over party president Abdul Hadi Awang's suggestion to form a unity government with Umno.
The call did not go down well with some leaders, including the venerable spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
According to sources, Nik Aziz called for a private meeting on Monday in Kuala Lumpur to discuss on how such an alliance could be thwarted.
Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, was in the capital to attend the three-day PAS muktamar (annual assembly) which ended on Sunday.
Sources said about 10 leaders, including former vice-president Husam Musa and newly-elected vice-president Mahfuz Omar, were present.
Leaders such as Husam and Mahfuz have openly disagreed with any negotiations with Umno.
Husam, who failed in his bid to unseat incumbent deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, had said that he decided to contest because of the latter's 'tango' with Umno.
President must explain
Following the March 8 general election, Nasharuddin initiated a series of talks with Umno to explore the possibility of forging a political cooperation between the two arch-rivals.
It was said that Nasharuddin was acting on behalf of Abdul Hadi.
Meanwhile, sources said leaders who attended the Monday meeting also agreed to push the PAS president to explain his stand on the matter.
"As far as we know, a unity government means the intention to sit together with Umno. This is what we are against. We hope the president and his deputy can clear the air," he said.
Nasharuddin has repeatedly denied that PAS has any intentions of joining Umno while Abdul Hadi said the matter only involves 'talks' and nothing more.
Sources told Malaysiakini that Abdul Hadi must explain this idea so that other PAS leaders are not suspicious of the motive.
"Right now, we only see the president and Nasharuddin talking about it. The rest do not know anything (about the details)," they said.
They added that the meeting was held following Nik Aziz's concern that PAS might unite with Umno since Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak indicated that he was receptive to the idea.
However, the sources dismissed speculation that Nik Aziz was "so disappointed with Abdul Hadi that he wanted to resign as spiritual adviser."
Statement will be issued soon
When contacted, PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli played down the meeting, saying that it was merely to exchange pleasantries.
Newly-elected vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Abdul Hadi will issue an official statement on the unity government proposal soon.
He added that the statement will explain in detail the cooperation between PAS and Umno with regard to his matter, he was quoted as saying by Sin Chew Daily.
"Everything will be handled by the president," he said.
Yesterday, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad shot down the idea, stressing that a single party system was unhealthy and that an opposition is important to keep the government of the day in check.
The call did not go down well with some leaders, including the venerable spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
According to sources, Nik Aziz called for a private meeting on Monday in Kuala Lumpur to discuss on how such an alliance could be thwarted.
Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, was in the capital to attend the three-day PAS muktamar (annual assembly) which ended on Sunday.Sources said about 10 leaders, including former vice-president Husam Musa and newly-elected vice-president Mahfuz Omar, were present.
Leaders such as Husam and Mahfuz have openly disagreed with any negotiations with Umno.
Husam, who failed in his bid to unseat incumbent deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, had said that he decided to contest because of the latter's 'tango' with Umno.
President must explain
Following the March 8 general election, Nasharuddin initiated a series of talks with Umno to explore the possibility of forging a political cooperation between the two arch-rivals.
It was said that Nasharuddin was acting on behalf of Abdul Hadi.
Meanwhile, sources said leaders who attended the Monday meeting also agreed to push the PAS president to explain his stand on the matter.
"As far as we know, a unity government means the intention to sit together with Umno. This is what we are against. We hope the president and his deputy can clear the air," he said.
Nasharuddin has repeatedly denied that PAS has any intentions of joining Umno while Abdul Hadi said the matter only involves 'talks' and nothing more.
Sources told Malaysiakini that Abdul Hadi must explain this idea so that other PAS leaders are not suspicious of the motive."Right now, we only see the president and Nasharuddin talking about it. The rest do not know anything (about the details)," they said.
They added that the meeting was held following Nik Aziz's concern that PAS might unite with Umno since Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak indicated that he was receptive to the idea.
However, the sources dismissed speculation that Nik Aziz was "so disappointed with Abdul Hadi that he wanted to resign as spiritual adviser."
Statement will be issued soon
When contacted, PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli played down the meeting, saying that it was merely to exchange pleasantries.
Newly-elected vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Abdul Hadi will issue an official statement on the unity government proposal soon.He added that the statement will explain in detail the cooperation between PAS and Umno with regard to his matter, he was quoted as saying by Sin Chew Daily.
"Everything will be handled by the president," he said.
Yesterday, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad shot down the idea, stressing that a single party system was unhealthy and that an opposition is important to keep the government of the day in check.
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