PN suspension an opportunity to strengthen Pas-Umno ties, says spiritual leader

ARAU: Pas spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin wants the Islamic party's leaders to use Perikatan Nasional's suspension as an opportunity to strengthen ties between Pas and Umno.

He said there was always ample opportunity to revive the Ummah Unity agenda between the two parties, given that their grassroots ties, particularly in rural areas, remained strong.

However, he said efforts to unite the two parties required a change in attitude among their top leaders to ensure that party interests were not sidelined in favour of personal or family interests.

"I urge Umno and Pas leaders to change the way we think for our own survival.

"If the leaders of both parties set a good example, the people will follow, but if the leaders at the top keep fighting, when will the people be able to unite?" he said when met here.

Hashim said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's willingness to visit him at his home recently also demonstrated sincerity in efforts to restore ties and reconciliation between the two parties.

On Sept 23, the Registrar of Societies confirmed that all PN activities had been suspended under Subsection 13(2A) of the Societies Act 1966, with immediate effect, following a notice issued on Sept 22.

The suspension order was issued to require PN to provide a detailed explanation regarding Bersatu's complaint to the department, and was not a decision to cancel the coalition's registration.

ENDS

KEYWORDS: Malaysia, Malaysia News, NST, nation, politics, Pas, Umno, unite, ummah, agenda, strengthen, ties, Hashim Jasin, Perikatan Nasional, PN, suspensions, Registrar of Societies. RoS