In Malaysia, does the ‘marriage’ of Umno and PAS pose a threat to Mahathir’s Pakatan Harapan?
- The opposition parties are formalising their alliance under the banner of Islamic unity, but observers warn of worsening ethnoreligious tensions
- The two have cooperated to win several by-elections, raising questions as to whether the government can shore up support from the Malay-Muslim vote bank
At the start of a two-day rally to officialise their “marriage”, members of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) flooded the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to recite poetry, watch political speeches and listen to live music. Umno president Zahid Hamidi described the Muslim Unity Assembly as “only the beginning”.
“What is important for us is the end product. We expect an overwhelming response … not only from party members but also the people,” he said.
Blanketed in the haze that has descended on the capital due to forest fires in Indonesia, Umno and PAS supporters chatted under tents outdoors, prayed together, and shopped at over 50 Malay-owned booths selling food, clothing and assorted trinkets.
