The talk of unity between Umno and PAS have been going on for quite some time now with both parties indicating more openness to discuss on the idea now than they were when it first came in the open last year. Even PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz, who was outraged upon knowing that his henchmen were happily discussing the idea with Umno, had agreed to meet Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin during the latter’s recent visit to Kelantan. The meeting was reportedly to discuss the forging of cooperation between the two parties in various fields, including in the effort to strengthen Islam and the position of Malays in the country. Then again, the Kelantan menteri besar being open to discussion with Umno leaders on the two parties coming together doesn’t necessarily mean he is warming up to the idea.  

More recently, on August 8, Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan (left) said that the party information machinery supports the call for an Umno-PAS unity. He stated that the collaboration between the two parties would not only benefit the Malays but also other communities. Ahmad addressed an issue of concern for many if unity were to be forged between the two rival parties which is the concern over whether the non-Malays would be neglected once the Malays grow stronger. Another thing that comes to mind is if this new step into race-based politics is a forward leap or a backward tumble for Malaysian politics.

Whether the unity would be in place or never, at this juncture, everyone from political leaders to religious figures to cab drivers are talking about it and how it would have an impact to the country and its good people. Below is a compilation of what has been said on the issue so far by public figures and others in the political scene:

Views of Public Figures

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (Umno President)
 
"We (Umno) are always open but they (PAS leaders) must not impose preconditions and insult Umno in their speeches. If we want to talk, we must not condemn each other."

"It is up to PAS to determine its stand. We do not want to keep repeating the matter."

"I just want to say that Umno is itself strong, and it is not that we are too weak that we have to forge a new friendship with PAS," he said.

Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (PAS spiritual leader)

 "PAS has closed its door for such discussion."
 
"The Malay and Muslim unity can be resolved if Umno is willing to change its policy from that of a nationalist to that of Islam.”

“PAS is not open to any discussions with Umno. The issue is closed. We are with Pakatan Rakyat and that’s final.”

"Islam teaches us to cooperate with our rivals, but only if we are equally strong can we cooperate. Otherwise, we can be oppressed."

"That experience (the ousting of PAS from BN in the 1979) was a lesson to us. We will not cooperate with a party which is stronger than us," he added.


Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Umno Deputy President)

"It doesn't matter if they are mufti or former mufti, I think they have a role to play (in being the moderator in PAS-Umno unity talks).”

"The same goes to others, including the Malay or Muslim Bumiputera leaders, if they want to come forward and facilitate the (unity talk) process, I think we should welcome them."

"If we (PAS and Umno) cannot find a meeting point, then we may need these mediators (muftis) to facilitate the process."

"That is why I call on every one of us to unite. We can no longer afford to be disunited or be plagued with protracted issues at the grassroots."

"There is still hope (for Muslim and Malay unity) if we are smart in giving priority to more important matters towards achieving this goal. There is still hope because both (Umno and PAS) want to unite."

"Umno has its own strength and is a party that champions the cause of Islam and the Malays."

"The question of unity among Malays is not something that is not good, what more in a situation now which calls for more concrete cooperation on such issues as the economy, culture and institution of rulers, besides building unity for the good of the ummah (community) and country."

"The non-Muslim communities should not feel threatened by it as, all this while, Muslim unity has helped ensure security and stability in this country. There has been no problem."

Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS president)

“Secondly, on the so-called unity talks to form an Umno-PAS government, it is something I read in the media. The subject was never discussed or raised in any PR leadership meeting.”  (June, 2009)

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Pakatan Rakyat Leader and PKR de facto chief)

“PAS maintains its stand it will not cooperate with Umno based on its past experiences and without being backed by principles.

“PAS leaders also reject this cooperation”

“If they (Umno) can capture Nik Aziz, they would be able to control PAS.”

“(It) must be sincere in upholding justice and stop this oppression first. If not, any unity will be seen as Malays trying to dominate the other [racial] groups,”

“I also say it’s good...  but united for what [purpose]? To be united is so it can uphold something better, not just because there is a threat,”


Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (Umno vice-president)

"Sometimes, politics, personal agenda and ego would come into play, creating a mix of politics and polemics.”

"Sincerity is vital if we want discuss about the future of the ummah... We cannot be in a situation where we want have a discussion but at the same time, continue to criticise each other."
 
"If we get together just to think about politics, about ourselves, about making things worse, about inciting hatred and fight among ourselves, we will not make it (cooperation) work.”

"Do not take those things into consideration. We are all lack of energy now, but someone should say enough is enough. Let's just discuss this and see how it goes.”

Mahfuz Omar (PAS information chief)

“PAS called on all Muslims and Malays to not be caught up in a cheap political agenda by Umno. Every time they face shortness of breath, they would ask oxygen from PAS.”

“If Umno is defeated later and wants to work with us, it’s okay. PAS must be above, Umno underneath. Never Umno above PAS, if not, we’re finished, there won’t be change.”

“It’s too late to say that. I am also in the party leadership so I know what is really going on. The truth will come later.” [rebuffing Nasharuddin‘s statement that it was never PAS’s intention to join Umno (June, 2009)]


Datuk Ahmad Maslan (Umno information chief)

"Nik Aziz can say anything he wants but there are other groups in PAS and PAS is not just about Nik Aziz...  others might have different views."

"Fighting among the Malays will create disunity. It will not benefit anyone and will only stunt the economy. The Malays have to stop fighting and be united to focus on the economy for the benefit of the people and country."

"Only Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP are against Malay unity as they fear that Umno and PAS will become united.”


Khairy Jamaluddin (Umno Youth chief)
 
“I think there have been enough efforts and articles on Umno-PAS unity. Makes us look so desperate.”.

"While many of us here want to have politics of ideology, the majority of Malaysians do not think so. The mind-share is there but it is not enough."

Nasrudin Hassan (PAS Youth chief)

“Umno has offered to us. I advise that we do not reject their offer, but instead take it up for the sake of unity. Muslims must unite and as most Muslims are Malays, we must be united.”

“Islam becomes the main condition.”

“We’re not asking for Umno to be abolished, but to make Islam as its core principle. Is it really that hard to do so? If it is, then it will be difficult for Muslims to be united.”

“If that happens do not point fingers and say that PAS did not want to unite or PAS is the cause of the split.”


Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Perkasa President)
 
"For as long as Malaysia is still a state-nation with transformation and evolution requiring decades to come, the politics of ideology may find it difficult to trump this arrangement “

"The first step is to get Umno and PAS leaders to meet without any condition. And if this failed the committee should form a new party that blends Umno and PAS features as efforts to unite the two parties have often failed and became a time-wasting polemics."

"With the formation of the new party (by way of dissolving both Umno and PAS), the people can evaluate which is positive and sincere in adhering to Islamic teachings, that is strengthening ties."


Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin (Kelantan Umno Liaison Deputy Chairman)

"Malay unity and future of the race must not be left solely in the hands of party leaders."
  
  
Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir

"Why is PAS still willing to work with DAP which clearly has a conflicting ideology from PAS'?

"Perhaps it is due to PAS' eagerness to capture Putrajaya (federal government) that it is willing to compromise and sacrifice its principles."


Tan Sri Sanusi Junid (Umno veteran)

"Another group are those who are supporters of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) who are in PAS. They are waiting for the signal from their party leadership."

Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria (Perak Mufti)

“If ‘we’ are divided, we will be facing defeat (in the 13th General Election), that’s all. And there will be a new domination taking shape.”


Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin (Former Perlis Mufti)

"The spirit of unity and solidarity in racial context alone will not ensure unity in the true sense of the word. This can be seen as Muslims worldwide are still divided as they do not lay the foundation for Islamic unity."


Datuk Seri Abdullah Md Zin (Religious Advisor to Prime Minister)

"Solidarity is something that is compulsory while factionalism is not permitted."


Lokman Nor Adam (JASA analyst and former PKR member)

"Therefore, there is no reason why PAS could not reconcile with Umno after leaving Barisan Nasional (BN) in 1977.”

"If PAS and Umno could work together many things could happen, including the implementation of hudud law, contrary to working with the DAP and PKR as their policies and goals differ."