A PAS-UMNO pact will create racial tension and not benefit the country, said former PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali.

He said if a formal political cooperation between the two Malay-Muslim parties materialised, it would only serve to inflame racial and religious sentiments.

Prior to the 14th general election, these same sentiments were played up against Pakatan Harapan parties – namely DAP, which has for years been accused of being anti-Malay and anti-Islam – to no effect, he said.

“They played up those issues in GE14, but it didn’t work. So, they will try again in the next general election.”

Syed Husin, who authored Masa Depan Orang Melayu (The Future of Malays), however, conceded that a PAS-Umno tie-up strategy might work on Malays.

“They may gain a bit in terms of seats, but it will split the people in terms of interracial relations. Tension will break out.”

The former Universiti Malaya sociology and anthropology lecturer said Umno and PAS should be more mature and effective opposition parties to keep the government in check.

PAS and Umno have been cosying up to each other since the Seri Setia, Balakong and Sg Kandis by-elections in Selangor, in which the parties campaigned for or supported each other.

Umno’s top leaders – president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, secretary-general Annuar Musa and vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob – also attended last weekend’s PAS muktamar in Terengganu.

The Islamist party’s top leadership is expected to attend Umno’s general assembly next weekend.

Syed Husin said interracial relations in Malaysia have not vastly improved since the change of government, judging from the racism seen on social media.

“People don’t trust each other. Ties are worsening. If it gets worse, we may have a conflict.

“We have not had incidents like (the) 1969 (racial riots) recently. People have experienced fights, and are afraid. More youth have been talking about unity, too.

“But, conflicts could occur if there are incidents, and if parties start fanning the flames.” – September 23, 2018.