The Malaysian Insight

UMNO and PAS leaders have been working the ground over the last few weeks as the two Malay-Muslim parties prepare to formalise their cooperation this weekend.

The series of ceramah, organised by the various divisions since August, has been gaining acceptance all around as big wigs from both sides shared the stage to pitch their case for the charter.

It will culminate on Saturday when Umno and PAS will ink a charter which will lay out the terms of their cooperation.

Umno president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang are expected to sign the charter at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The scale of the ceramah may vary but what is a sure sign is the turnout has been more than encouraging, especially in rural the peninsula.

While race and religion are the thrust of the speeches, the speakers also drilled home what allegedly ails the country since Pakatan Harapan took control of Putrajaya.

Zahid, his deputy Mohamad Hasan and party secretary-general Annuar Musa have been in the driving seat while on the Islamist party’s side, Hadi, his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hasan have also drummed up a case for unity.

Pokok Sena Umno division chief Noran Zamini Jamaluddin said the attendance at the talks has increased drastically, especially in rural areas.

“The cooperation between Umno and PAS in the rural areas has been extraordinary. Although there is an increase in the numbers of those attending the ceramah in the cities, it is more so in the rural areas.

“I recently went to a talk in Penang where it’s usually hard to get a crowd but the attendance was more than 1,000,” Noran told The Malaysian Insight.

In addition to the message of solidarity between Umno and PAS, speakers touched on economic issues, he said.

“We are not only trying to uphold or defend Malay-Muslims but also explain the negative issues that have come up during Pakatan Harapan’s rule which the combination of Umno-PAS and Barisan Nasional have addressed.

“Ummah unity is not just an agenda to defend Malay-Muslims but also all Malaysians. The country’s debt is rising, the economic downturn of which Chinese traders are acknowledging and other factors.”

Noran said MCA and MIC leaders are also involved in the ceramah, especially in Chinese- and Indian-majority areas.

The PAS and Umno women’s wings have also been playing their part, talking to the constituents about the Ummah unity rally.

“We also travelled throughout Malaysia, informing women about Muslim unity. We tried to explain the charter,” said the Umno Wanita head Noraini Ahmad.

The Malaysian Insight recently attended a joint ceramah in Kuala Selangor.

“We want to create a spirit of cooperation between the two parties. We want this cooperation to continue and improve from time to time as we have to face DAP.

“Bersatu is just a small party and Amanah is just following DAP. DAP is in control of the government and we must fight the DAP together,” said Kuala Selangor Umno division chief Jahaya Ibrahim.

“I appeal to PAS and Umno members at the branch, let us nurture this fellowship, meeting often to hold joint programmes. Don’t wait for programmes at the regional level,” said Kuala Selangor PAS chief Muhammad Rashid Muhammad Kassim. – September 12, 2019.