Kuala lumpur: The decision by PAS to end its political cooperation with Bersatu came as no surprise as it was widely anticipated, according to UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the development offers an important lesson that political alliances should not be driven solely by political considerations, but must also be grounded in the broader goals of national development and unity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid remarked, "We in UMNO had expected this to happen...this was a political assessment based on the belief that any collaboration must be founded on sincerity and free from elements of betrayal." He further elaborated that such cooperation must be built for the long term so that national objectives can be achieved and unity among the people can be strengthened. He cautioned that future steps should not be limited to signatures on paper or pledges of allegiance, emphasizing that what matters most is sincerity that can be translated into a lasting and sustainable commitment.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, was speaking to reporters after attending the KEMAS Educators' Day celebration today. PAS had officially announced its decision to terminate political cooperation with Bersatu. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang stated that the decision was made in a special meeting of the party's Central Working Committee after considering reports, studies, and current assessments of the relationship with Bersatu.
Commenting on the UMNO and PAS meeting on June 4, Ahmad Zahid described it as a positive step that needed to be followed up with several other steps. He stated that the meeting was an initiative by the leadership of both parties to resolve several issues and was not focused on a political agenda. He affirmed, "If it is related to politics, it will certainly be further refined because we (UMNO) remain in the Unity Government that is currently formed. That is our (UMNO) principle, and that principle must be respected."