“Most importantly, the people must be united. It has to take precedence over party interest. Let us sacrifice some of our rights sincerely for the sake of saving our country.”
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who mooted the idea of a unity government with Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) as a solution to political strife. The leader of Malaysia’s second largest political party stressed the importance of looking for common ground, in the interest of leading the country. (Source: PAS calls for a unity government, The Malaysian Insider, 27 Feb 2009)
“I made the suggestion to (Tun) Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) because we see him as a leader with the least problems, but I don’t see any such Umno leader now.”
Hadi, on PAS withdrawing its unity government offer. He said with Datuk Seri Najib Razak as Malaysia’s new prime minister, the idea was no longer tenable. (Source: With Najib in, Hadi withdraws unity government offer, The Malaysian Insider, 18 April 2009)
Hadi also said the withdrawal was so that PAS members could understand his concept of a unity government. Party opinion has been split on the issue, with PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat himself speaking out against it.
“[It is] not just members of Pakatan who support us fully but also members of Umno, who want our cooperation to work together in solving the problems confronting the country.”
Hadi, insisting that PAS’s partners in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) knew of the party’s talks with Umno. According to Hadi, while PKR and the DAP were not eager to jump into such talks, they had reacted positively. (Source: Debate motion for ulama to head PAS rejected, Malaysiakini, 5 June 2009)
PKR and the DAP would later express confusion at this statement. DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang refuted Hadi’s claim, saying that the question of a PR-BN government was never discussed at any PR leadership meeting. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also urged Hadi to spell out his unity government proposal. “They have to explain at the next top leadership council meeting,” Lim said.
Notwithstanding the lack of an explanation, the unity government option is still on the table. Re-elected PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said the “door to dialogue with any political party or non-governmental organisation will never be closed.” Najib, on his part, is keeping an “open attitude”.
“We cannot remain still on the boat and watch fellow Muslims drown in ignorance.”
Hadi, in his closing speech at the party’s 55th muktamar. He said PAS would not hop onto the BN “boat”, but was willing to give Umno a helping hand if it needed it. (Source: Hadi Awang: Party will not allow Barisan to manipulate it, The Star, 8 June 2009)
“Islam will not be with us if we do not fight for the cause as a whole. We cannot just rely on ourselves … we need to meet everyone to have an open discussion.”
Hadi, appearing to keep his party’s options open, and using religious principles to justify this. (Source: Hadi: Let’s not shut our doors to others, Malaysiakini, 7 June 2009) 
webmastertbo says
This is amanat Haji Hadi:
Saudara-saudara sekalian percayalah,
Kita menentang Umno, bukan kerana nama dia Umno. Kita menentang Barisan Nasional bukan kerana dia lama memerintah kerajaan. Kita menentang dia ialah kerana dia mengekalkan perlembagaan penjajah, mengekalkan undang-undang kafir, mengekalkan peraturan jahiliyah. Oleh kerana itulah kita menentang mereka. Oleh kerana itulah kita menghadapi mereka. Oleh itulah kita cuba berlawan dengan mereka.
Percayalah saudara-saudara sekalian,
Perjuangan kita adalah jihad, ucapan kita adalah jihad, derma kita adalah jihad. Bergantunglah kita kepada Allah dengan (menghadapi) puak-puak ini kerana kalau kita mati melawan puak-puak ini, mati kita adalah syahid. Mati kita adalah Islam. Kita tidak perlu masuk Buddha, kita tidak perlu masuk Hindu, kita tidak perlu masuk Kristian, tapi kita menjadi kafir dengan mengamalkan ‘politik suku, agama suku’.
Sino says
Hadi Awang and Nasharudin, please don’t beat round the bush.
Just admit that you want to be Deputy PM and Minister respectively.
Don’t use religion to justify your action.
Nobody can be fools anymore.
Malaysia Ku says
Sometimes I wonder when they talked (PAS and Umno) about unity, are they talking about Malays and Islam only? It took 50 years for the Chinese to trust them enough to vote for them. My advice is don’t rock the boat when the weather is still stormy and don’t forget the boat when the weather is good. You never know when you will need it again.
Hafidz Baharom says
Just what is going on with PAS?!
It’s like watching a guy with Multiple Personality Disorder.
Do they want to work with Umno or PR?
And who are these PR people who support the unity talks with Umno?
The duality is staggering! Politicians are supposed to produce spin, not ulamas. Be direct and stick to your words.
Or is hypocrisy no longer a sin according to PAS?