KUALA LUMPUR: Pas and Umno will set-up a joint committee to discuss and deliberate issues concerning the position of Islam as well as special privileges of the Malay and Bumiputera community soon.
Pas deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man described the establishment of the joint committee as important to ensure the survival of Islam apart from safeguarding the rights of the Malays and the Bumiputera community in the country.
Tuan Ibrahim said prior to the setting-up of the joint committee, both Pas and Umno would each form a special committee within their respective parties.
“Pas will set-up its own committee and the same applies to Umno.
“These committees are being formed to look into several issues concerning Islam, the Malays and Bumiputera community apart from the assurance enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“We (Pas and Umno) will proceed with establishing the joint committee to look into these issues soon,” he said when contacted today.
He was asked to comment on the next move by Pas and Umno after the thanksgiving rally to celebrate the non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) on Saturday.
Observers were off the opinion that the success of the rally, which was held without any untoward incidents, reflected the positive political cooperation between Pas and Umno post 14th General Election.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Kubang Kerian Member of Parliament, claimed the opposition is aware of efforts by certain quarters to undermine and flout the social contract agreed and stipulated in the Federal Constitution.
“We aspire for more discussions and collaborations (between Pas and Umno) in the future (to champion the rights of Islam, Malay and Bumiputera community),” he said.
Asked on the possibility of Pas and Umno constituting a coalition of leading and major Malay-Islam political entities, Tuan Ibrahim said at the moment, both parties are focussing on a common interest, which is the position of Islam and the rights of the Malay community.
“We are focussing on such common interest. As for political coalition, the party will decide on the matter later,” he said.
Pas, he said, supported the stand the Pakatan Harapan Government’s stand to reject the ratification of ICERD as announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
When asked on the possibility of a follow-up rally if the same issues recur, Tuan Ibrahim said Pas will closely monitor the issue.
“We will wait and see what the future beholds. We will also monitor the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), which had went against the Government’s stand (on ICERD ratification),” he said.
