'PAS and Umno still friends, but Semenyih commitment won't be like in Cameron'

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan today reiterated that his party will continue to work with Umno, but said that its commitment in the upcoming Semenyih by-election will not be the same as witnessed in the Cameron Highlands polls.

"PAS states its position that it will not contest in the Semenyih by-election and give way to the opposition's representative, which is BN, with commitment and involvement that varies with the situation in the Cameron Highlands by-election.

"This is in line with PAS' consistent position of prioritising Islam and Malays above all else, on top of maintaining a relationship with Umno on the grounds of Muslim unity and solidarity in the opposition," he said in a statement today.

PAS did not participate in the January 26 Cameron Highlands by-election, but campaigned aggressively for Umno. 

It proved successful, with BN candidate Ramli Mohd Nor winning the seat by a 3,238-vote majority.

Takiyuddin made the statement after seeking clarification from PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who met with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Friday.

Read more: T'ganu MB refutes Dr M, says PAS support 'misinterpreted'

The meeting had sparked controversy, after Mahathir claimed yesterday that PAS made an undertaking not to help Umno in the Semenyih polls, even stating there was a written agreement to this effect.

Takiyuddin confirmed the existence of the written agreement, but claimed it was only a "sample."

"The written statement, which was a sample, was given as PAS commitment to Mahathir's leadership base upon safeguarding the interests of religion, country and race until the 15th general election.

"An agreement was also arrived at to have better cooperation between the federal and Kelantan and Terengganu state governments, particularly on administration, development and royalties," he said.