Ramblings of Abufaris

Pakatan Rakyat should never fall into UMNO’s or BN’s trap. A coalition with UMNO will not be possible as they will betray the Pakatan Rakyat anytime. The history speak for themselves for what UMNO have done.

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS will not cooperate or form a coalition government with Umno or Barisan Nasional.

The party would remain loyal to the Pakatan Rakyat, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang announced yesterday.

Firm stand: Abdul Hadi speaking to the press in Kuala Lumpur Thursday.

However, he stressed that PAS was willing to hold meetings with all political parties, including Umno, non-governmental organisations and individuals for the betterment of the country and the ummah.

“We reject any form of cooperation with Umno and the Barisan on the formation of a government whether at the federal or state level.

“I want to reiterate our stand to remain with Pakatan Rakyat and play an active role in line with our joint aspirations to seek a change in government.

“As such, the question of offers from Umno to form a joint government at all levels does not arise,” he told a press conference at the PAS headquarters here yesterday.

He was attending the party’s central working committee meeting at their office in Jalan Raja Laut.

The high-level meetings between Umno and PAS on issues related to Islam, which was revealed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently, had been termed as muzakarah (dialogue) and muqabalah (discussions) .

Asked whether PAS would take disciplinary action against party leaders or members who might want to hold clandestine meetings with Umno, Abdul Hadi said the party allowed the meetings to be held as long as the party leadership was informed.

On another matter, Abdul Hadi said the issue of the sodomy accusations made against Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be settled through Syariah law.

He added that Muslims who were accused of wrongdoing should be referred to the Syariah court.

“If that cannot be done, then Umno must make some changes. I don’t want this issue to be politicised.

“I’m willing to defend anyone who had been oppressed, including Anwar, and Islamic jurisprudence states that a person is innocent until proven guilty,” he added.

Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, who also attended the press conference, said the PAS muktamar in Ipoh would be launched on Aug 13, while the party’s general assembly would be held from Aug 15 to 17 in Ipoh.