Nazri declares BN spirit dead with new Umno-PAS union

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 5 years ago · Published on 6 Mar 2019 2:44PM · 4 Comments

Nazri Abdul Aziz says the union of Umno and PAS has ended the spirit of multiculturalism, which was the basis of the coalition’s founding principles. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2019.

NOW that the union between Umno and PAS has been formalised, the spirit of Barisan Nasional forged after the race riots of 1969 has ended, said Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The BN secretary-general apologised to the Islamist party supporters for his fervent objection to their cooperation in the past.

Nazri, who is also Padang Rengas MP, said the union of BN’s lynchpin party and the Islamist party had ended the spirit of multiculturalism, which was the basis of the coalition’s founding principles.

“With this union, the BN spirit that was forged to represent multiculturalism has ended,” he said today during a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

The former tourism minister said he was not in favour of the cooperation between the two parties in the past, as BN was still a multi-racial coalition at that point of time.

“I have come to a realisation and have changed my perception. I am now supportive of the cooperation between Umno and PAS, although I have said in the past that the two should not work together due to BN’s status as a multi-racial party.

“I apologise to the Malay community as well as the members and supporters of PAS,” he said.

He said that PAS has been protecting the rights of minorities as he has not seen non-Muslims moving out of Kelantan, which has been under the Islamist party’s rule for 25 years.

“The synergy has to go on for the survival of both parties. We have to ensure that we will not split. I throw my 100% support behind Mohamad Hasan for this.”

However, Nazri said that he hoped the cooperation would be expanded to BN and PAS and not limited to between Umno and PAS, especially during elections.  

“We are not abandoning Chinese support as we will need everyone’s support in politics. I also hope that BN will not be disbanded, and PAS and BN will be able to work together,” he said.

Nazri said the partnership between BN and PAS will be more formidable compared with just Umno and PAS.  

He also said that his support of the partnership does not mean he is turning his back on other races. – March 6, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • He is an idiot. Then why still continue as BN's Secretary General?

    Posted 5 years ago by Sng Por · Reply

  • Umno is not lacking in mediocre minded and good members who support the BN spirit. His announcement simply means that Umno is likely to split further within.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • If the spirit is dead, it is Nazri who kills it.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • When you say with this union, multi culturism in BN is dead you have confirmed that BN no longer needs non muslim support anymore. Then seriouslybagree with MCA and MIC to dissolve BN and everyone goes their separate ways

    Posted 5 years ago by Derrick Tan · Reply