Hadi’s unity govt talk just personal opinion

KUALA LUMPUR: The idea of PAS to form a unity government with Umno remains the personal opinion of the party’s president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang as it was not mentioned in his keynote address or tabled as a resolution in the recent PAS muktamar (conference).
 
PAS member of parliament for Shah Alam Khalid Abdul Samad said Hadi’s suggestion for a PAS-Umno unity government during a media interview was in the face of the economic crisis and spiralling political crisis, adding that PAS officially remained committed to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and replace the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
 
“We can sense that Umno is very desperate to find a way out from a crisis of dwindling political support. We can also sense their (Umno) insincerity when they responded to our president’s statement in his personal capacity and with the fullest of sincerity,” he told reporters at the parliament lobby today.
 
According to Khalid, who is former Selangor PAS deputy commissioner, attempts by Umno and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to paint the picture that PAS was serious with a unity government was merely a ploy and to gain political mileage.
 
“There is a gag order for the PAS leadership on the unity government concept as the issue can be twisted and confusing,” he pointed out.
 
Najib was quoted today to say that he could sense PAS was sincere in wanting a unity government and as such Umno was open for discussion on issues that affected the country and its people.
 
Khalid took a swipe at Najib for such statement stressing that Umno was hoping there would be major disagreements among PAS leaders and divisions as well as that PAS working relation with PKR and DAP would hit a bump.
 
“Umno will keep highlighting the unity government idea and say it is acceptable and they want to meet us so that people will start doubting the direction of PAS,” he added.
 
On Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s action immediately following the oath-taking ceremony, Khalid said the move by the newly elected Bukit Gantang MP was spontaneous and not planned, noting it was not done under the party’s instruction.
 
Nizar had donned the headgear with the words “Bubar DUN” and shouted “Hidup Rakyat, Bubar Dewan” immediately after taking his oath in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
 
Khalid said he could understand Nizar’s frustration with the political impasse in Perak and that the embattled menteri besar wanted MPs to realise that they must uphold their oath and defend the laws of the land which includes the issue of the Perak state assembly sitting.
 
“Nizar finds it strange that people in parliament can still sit down and talk as if nothing has happened in Perak. That’s why he wanted to make his point and he did what he did,” he said. -The Edge