Islam not at core of Umno’s ‘Rumah Bangsa’, says Hadi

2026-03-12 - 09:45

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang accused Umno of befriending anyone that would help the party gain power. PETALING JAYA: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has rejected supporting Umno’s “Rumah Bangsa” initiative to unite the Malays, saying it does not have Islam at its core. Hadi said this was the conclusion drawn by PAS based on the observations of its representatives who attended a meeting chaired by Umno with several political parties last week. “Although there was no DAP representative, we can read between the lines,” he said in a Facebook post. “The meeting was part of efforts to unite the Malays based on the spirit of nationalism, not Islam. They are still friends with DAP to form the government, although it forces them to depart from their essential struggles,” said the Marang MP. Hadi said PAS was sticking to its principle on joining forces with trusted allies who would not obstruct the “struggles of Islam”, accusing Umno of befriending anyone that would help the party gain power. “PAS is not willing to join this ‘Rumah Bangsa’ offered by Umno,” he added. On March 5, representatives from eight political parties met at Umno’s headquarters to seek common ground on matters involving the Malays, Bumiputera and Islam. Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the parties who were represented at the meeting were PAS, PKR, Amanah, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Berjasa, Parti Kongres India Muslim Malaysia and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia. PAS was represented by its secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan.