Umno man claims he appeared on behalf of Muafakat Nasional at PN event

SHAH ALAM – A Melaka assemblyman had showed up at a Perikatan Nasional (PN) event in Muar, Johor claiming that he was attending on behalf of Muafakat Nasional.

According to a report by English daily The Star, Rembia representative Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis was among the attendees at the Perikatan machinery launch for the Simpang Jeram by-election on Wednesday (Aug 23) night.

His presence at the event, had raised eyebrows.

He claimed that he was representing Muafakat Nasional chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa at the event.

"I am representing Annuar (here) as Muafakat Nasional is firm in its belief in the unity of the ummah.

"That happens to also be the same spirit shared by Perikatan. We believe that this unity is not dead and we do not make enemies with any political parties," he told The Star.

Jailani was then asked if his presence meant that he might leave Umno to which he replied in the negative.

"It does not say anything. We just want this unity to continue. If not through Pas, Umno and Bersatu, then through Muafakat Nasional as an NGO.

"There needs to be a space for Malay parties to sit together and be united," he was reported saying.

Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan also acknowledged the former Melaka exco member's presence at the event.

In 2018, Jailani won the Rembia seat on a PKR ticket before quitting the party in 2020 to be an independent.

He then joined Umno in 2021.

Jailani retained his seat in the state election in 2021 and served as the tourism, heritage and culture committee chairman from then until March this year.