Umno Youth signals readiness to revive Umno–Pas ties

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth has expressed its readiness to act as a bridge in reviving cooperative ties between the party and Pas.

Its chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said this followed positive support and feedback for the proposed cooperation between the two largest Malay-based parties from Pas Information Chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and Pas Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden.

“We see that when the Malays are divided, there are parties who try to take advantage.

“Past mistakes, when Umno and Pas were divided, resulted in the failure of Malay unity. That is why I am extending a hand and proposing that Malay unity must be led by the two core Malay parties, namely Umno and Pas.

“I have been informed that the Pas Youth chief has also welcomed this proposal and the Pas Information chief has likewise issued a positive statement,” he said.

He was speaking during the Umno Youth Special Convention held at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) on Saturday.

The convention, themed Umno’s Direction in the Unity Government, was attended by about 2,000 members who openly and boldly voiced their views and sentiments, including reassessing the party’s current position within the government.

Akmal said that, so far, no official meeting has been held between Umno Youth and Pas Youth to discuss the matter, but the party is ready to hold discussions at any time.

However, he stressed that any decision related to political cooperation must be made through party channels and be based on the voices of the grassroots.

“This convention does not make decisions; instead, it gathers findings from the grassroots.

“So far, Alhamdulillah, the majority are inclined towards that stance, and it will be brought for consideration at the Umno General Assembly (PAU),” he said.