KUALA LUMPUR – If Pas can marry DAP; then why can’t Umno?
This was the rhetorical poser mooted by Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who clapped back at critics needling on the party’s ironic political cooperation with its archenemy.
"Pas has done ‘Muta’ah marriage’ for many times with several political parties, including DAP,” Zahid pointed out, referring to Pas’ 2008 stint with PKR and DAP in the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
In Islamic law, ‘Muta’ah marriage’ is a temporary marriage that is contracted for a limited or fixed period.
The Deputy Prime Minister added now that they were in the same ship, he realised that there was no problem with working together with DAP in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
"The reality is that the presence of BN (Barisan Nasional) and PH – in which DAP is also a part of it – never roused the Islamic agenda, the Malay Rulers and the Malay language.
"In fact, they respected such matters because it is Umno’s principles. It is enshrined in Umno’s constitution, and they (PH) agreed to it,” the Bagan Datuk MP told reporters after attending an awards ceremony organised by Wanita Umno.
Needling Pas further, Zahid also rubbished the claim that Umno had sold the dignity of Islam and Malays by partnering with PH.
"We are supposedly pawning the dignity of Islam and Malays. They should ask themselves. Why did they (Pas) do this before? So, they should ask themselves," said Zahid at Umno HQ ahead of the party’s general meeting which will take place this Friday.
Tonight, the party will officiate the meeting of its Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings which was scheduled for tomorrow.
In last year's 15th General Election (GE15) on November 19, Umno suffered its worst defeat at the national poll, winning only 26 parliamentary seats compared to the 54 that it won in GE14.
However, the party ultimately managed to form government with PH as GE15 ended in a hung parliament where not a single party had enough numbers to form government on their own.