Muslim rally must not be limited to Umno-PAS, says Pejuang

Pejuang has urged Umno and PAS to ensure that their planned rally, at which they hope to gather a million Muslims, is open to supporters of other political parties.

Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali said his party welcomed the rally as the Malays had been politically divided for far too long, despite sharing the same homeland and beliefs.

“The gathering of a million Muslims must not be merely an Umno-PAS gathering. Open the door to all who want to see Malay-Muslim unity rebuilt.

“Don’t ask what party one belongs to. Don’t ask if they’re a friend or foe. If we keep opening old wounds every time we try to unite, we will never be united.

“Umno and PAS look prepared to open the door, so other parties must be ready to step in. Don’t close the door just because of ego and past enmity,” he said in a Facebook post.

On Saturday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno and PAS planned to bring together a million Muslims at a rally to strengthen ties between the two largest Malay-based parties.

Other prominent Malay-Muslim parties include Bersatu, an Umno splinter, as well as Pejuang, which was an offshoot of Bersatu.

Bersatu, Pejuang and PAS are all components of Perikatan Nasional, but Bersatu fell out of favour in the coalition after falling out with PAS in June.

Rafique also said there should not be any “big brother” in the endeavour to achieve Malay unity, nor should the focus be on dominance or gaining more seats.

“What is needed at this time is a willingness to put aside our personal interests for the sake of a greater purpose.”

The Pejuang leader added that gathering a million participants would be meaningless if everyone involved went back to insulting and betraying one another after the rally.

Last week, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said Umno must spearhead any cooperation aimed at forging Malay-Muslim political unity, as the party had been deceived by others in previous efforts.