Ummah unity is not a seasonal political agenda

PAS is again opening the door to cooperation with UMNO and Barisan Nasional as Malaysia moves toward its 16th general election. That has revived a pointed question: is the party’s call for ummah unity a lasting project, or simply an election-season strategy?

Prof. Associate Dr. Wan Mat Sulaiman, head of the Terengganu PAS Ulama Council, said the party’s 72nd congress will provide a key forum for internal review and debate. Delegates will discuss the party’s work for the coming year based on the president’s policy speech, as well as specific policies and preparations for the election.

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I see this agenda as very important not only to win PRU16, but also to restore the dominance of Malay Muslims, who are the indigenous people and the majority ethnic group in Malaysia.

PAS could choose to contest alone, he said, or pursue cooperation and an understanding with other parties, particularly BN. Wan Mat said the unity agenda began with Muafakat Nasional and has continued to the present. In his view, cooperation among Malay Muslim parties has become a major requirement for restoring political power and governing the country.

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This agenda has long been championed by PAS, beginning with Muafakat Nasional and continuing until today.

He argued that the goal extends beyond winning the election. Muslim Malay political dominance, he said, would bring what he described as genuine prosperity and peace, while restoring conditions suited to Malaysia’s demographic, religious, cultural and historical character.

Wan Mat also said PAS and UMNO still share many points of agreement and can sit together again. He expressed hope that the congress would produce mature debate and a strong new platform capable of turning ummah unity into reality.

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It does not mean that PAS and UMNO can no longer sit at the same table, because there are many points of agreement.