HOW much can we read into talk of cooperation between PAS and the unity government?

If this happens, it will leave the opposition Perikatan Nasional severely weakened, with only Bersatu left to carry the torch.

There is another factor to consider. How will Umno react to PAS joining forces with the unity government?

It appears the parties are willing to come together, but under certain conditions.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi fired the firsr salvo when he said that the oldest and largest Malay party in the country would not ally with PAS as long as Abdul Hadi Awang is president of the Islamist party. 

Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, cited past experiences of working with Hadi, pointing out his fickleness and inconsistencies.

PAS retorted that it would not work with Umno as long as Zahid is the president.

But all this is nothing but a political gimmick, given that these two parties have worked together previously.

And it could happen again despite the apparent squabbling.

This is because politicians place their needs above those of its supporters.

Remember the “No Anwar, No DAP” declaration from Umno?

This was professed by Zahid himself in the Umno 2020 general assembly.

Post the 2022 general election, the Anwar Ibrahim-led Pakatan Harapan (PH) entered into coalition with arch-nemesis Umno-BN.

Anwar and Zahid were the architects of the pact, allowing the former to finally fulfil his dream of becoming prime minister.

In return, Zahid was made the deputy prime minister despite an ongoing graft trial. He also became the rural and regional development minster.

The charges against Zahid were subsequently dropped.

Umno and PH linked up despite resistance from some lawmakers and members of the the largest Malay party.

This also saw a purge in Umno, leading to the suspensions and sackings of several party leaders, including former youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who was said to be critical of Zahid and his direction of bringing the party forward.

Following the handshake betwe Anwar and Zahid, Umno saw some historic moments.

In June last year, Anwar attended the Umno assembly for the first time in 25 years, taking a seat at the top table with Zahid.

Zahid called for party members to support Anwar and the unity government.

Earlier, in May 2023, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke delivered a speech at the Umno headquarters during the unity government convention, which the Seremban MP called a “surreal moment”.

Later in September, Zahid became the first Umno president to attend a DAP conference.

Since the establishment of Umno in1946, and DAP in 1966, the two parties had never worked together.

Today, Umno, PKR, and DAP work hand in hand. Zahid has repeatedly said that this will continue into the next general election.

PAS is flexible too

As for PAS, it is not unknown for the party to jump ship and work with its so-called “enemies”.

PAS has a history of working with Umno, PKR and DAP.

As recently as 2020, just before the general eelection, Umno and PAS had agreed to register Muafakat Nasional as a political entity. The move collapsed following the Islamist party’s decision to ally with Bersatu in Perikatan Nasional.

Just as Zahid had said “No Anwar, No DAP”, he had also said “No Bersatu”, a party led by former Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Now, PAS and Bersatu have formed a formidable partnership under the PN banner.

Remarkably, PAS outshone everyone in the 2022 general election, winning 49 parliamentary seats.

Umno, meanwhile, had a miserable outing, winning only 26 parliamentary seats.

If Umno and PAS had worked together, it could have led to a different results.

Politicians can change their stand anytime for their own benefit.

It would be foolish to say that PAS and Umno could never work together again.

For all we know, this could happen sooner rather than later.

At the end of the day, all this is just a political gimmick to fool the rakyat. – July 12, 2024.