PETALING JAYA: Umno leaders have rejected claims that the party’s renewed cooperation with PAS over Malay unity will not last, saying political alliances can evolve in response to changing voter sentiment and political trends.
Umno Supreme Council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed said political calculations were constantly changing, particularly as voters’ preferences and broader political trends shifted.
He said the growing emphasis on identity and religious politics globally meant cooperation between Umno and PAS remained relevant, describing the consolidation of Malay voters as an important element of political stability.
Nur Jazlan also pointed out that DAP had previously worked with PAS while both parties were in the opposition, including through the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
He was responding to DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, who had said the Malay unity narrative promoted by Umno and PAS would not be sustainable and urged DAP to broaden its support beyond its traditional voter base ahead of the next general election.
Another Umno Supreme Council member, Razlan Rafii, said the idea that the majority community should form the core of the country’s leadership had long been established among Malaysians.
He said this was consistent with a wider global trend involving parties that champion the interests of indigenous communities, while stressing that this did not mean marginalising other ethnic groups.
Razlan also criticised DAP’s approach, saying some of its actions had raised concerns among the majority community.
He claimed the party had also lost support among Chinese voters because of concerns over economic issues, including taxes, fuel prices and utility costs.
Razlan said Umno and PAS shared the objective of ensuring the country could be governed without relying on racial issues.
The remarks come amid renewed discussions between Umno and PAS over political cooperation, with both parties assessing the possibility of working together in future elections.
-FMT
