GE15: "I was the Umno-Pas matchmaker" - Tajuddin

SHAH ALAM - Incumbent Pasir Salak MP, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman made a bold claim today -- that he is the founder of the Muafakat Nasional (MN) front.

Tajuddin said it was only through MN -- which was the political cooperation pact between Umno and Pas -- that the Malays were united.

And it all began with a programme which he started in Kampung Gajah followed by the ones in Sungai Manik, Kimanis, Tanjung Piai and Dataran Merdeka, chronologically.

"Before this we were divided, we were enemies for more than 60 years, suddenly we can hug. Us from Umno and those from Pas.

"I reminded them to take care of it. I also said there was no need [for Umno] to join Dr Mahathir's government; and don't enter Muhyiddin's government too because we are strong," he said.

He said this on Sinar Harian's 370th series of 'Demi Rakyat atau Kuasa' hosted by the daily tonight.

Tajuddin added that, the strength of the two largest Malay Muslim parties was proven when the coalition successfully won several by-elections.

"But because we lost to the devil's temptation, we want Tan Sri, we want Datuk Seri, we want to be minister, deputy minister, what has happened now?

"Umno can go solo but Pas is only strong because of Umno," he explained.

Commenting on Pas' decision to join hands with Pribumi Bersatu instead of Umno, Tajuddin believed that the alliance will not bode well for Pas.

"If you want to go with Bersatu, Bersatu has no network, no infrastructure, no strength. Still to new, inexperienced... it's a loss.

Tajuddin also likened Pas to a "nut that has forgotten its skin".