MALAY-Muslim parties must avoid clashing with each other and instead work towards unity, said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Hadi said he was asked about the current political situation after attending the Umno annual general assembly yesterday but he left without taking questions from the media.

Taking to his Facebook today, Hadi said there are too many divisions among Malay-based parties.

“The problem we face now is the division among Muslims. PAS wants to bring the unity agenda among Muslims as well as non-Muslims who are not extreme. This is our unity agenda.

“So let’s not be rude to our friends. Instead we must establish a brotherhood and not be the cause of division. Be patient and be a peacemaker,” he said.

At the Umno general assembly yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had questioned PAS’ loyalty to the Muafakat Nasional (MN) charter both parties signed in 2019.

Zahid said Umno and PAS had agreed to hold off joining other political coalitions.

“Umno is firm on this. It is not too late to come back to the MN pact. We must be steadfast as (leaving the pact) will not benefit either Umno or PAS.”

After Zahid’s speech, Hadi and his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man made a beeline for the exit without taking questions from the waiting media.

A day before, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan and Youth chief Aysraf Wajdi Dusuki urged PAS to choose between Bersatu and Umno ahead of the 15th general election.

Later yesterday, former Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, in a Facebook live show, apologised to PAS for the way its leaders were treated at the Umno assembly.

“As a division leader and a minister who works alongside PAS, if there was anything (at the assembly) said that hurt our friends in PAS, I apologise.

“Umno as a whole wants PAS’ relationship with Umno to continue and be stronger through MN. I want a continuous working relationship with PAS,” Annuar had said. – March 29, 2021.