UMNO and PAS leaders call for fine-tuning of unity agenda

PAS Ulama chief Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed Thursday expressed hope that the offer made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to foster close ties with PAS is in accordance with Islamic principles.

However, he said to achieve success, the matter should be fine-tuned further through continuous discussions between the two parties, in the interest of Muslims in the country.

He told this to reporters after Najib's speech at the Al-Azhar Alumni Regional Seminar here Thursday.

Earlier, Najib, when opening the three-day seminar, reminded the audience that Muslims should make it part of their faith to establish a bond of fraternity and not create disunity among the ummah.

At the just-concluded UMNO General Assembly, Najib, who is also UMNO president, offered to foster close ties with PAS to build the nation together, in accordance with real Islamic doctrine.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Dr Ashraf Wajdi Dusuki said the time had come for UMNO and PAS to unite in championing religious, racial and national causes.

"Muslims are falling apart in disunity. It is about time that we sit down together and set aside our differences and contentions which are not beneficial to the people," he said.

He said this was not an impossible feat as both parties have several similar agendas.

"We hope Malaysians will pray hard. Do not expect the extraordinary, though there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel now," he added.