PAS, UMNO taking steps to unite, says DAP’s Lim Guan Eng

KUALA LUMPUR — The appointment of a former PAS leader to head a foundation introduced by Prime Minister Najib Razak shows that ruling party UMNO and the Islamist opposition are moving closer to forming a unity government, former PAS ally DAP said today (Oct 28).

Democratic Party (DAP) secretary-general Lim Guan Eng made this allegation while congratulating former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa on his new appointment.

Mr Nasharudin was today named as the new chief executive officer of the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF).

As PAS deputy president, Mr Nasharudin was one of the party’s leading proponents of a unity government with political rival UMNO. He had criticised the movement of PAS moderates who wanted to continue political cooperation with the rest of the now-defunct opposition front, Pakatan Rakyat.

PAS broke ties with the DAP in June, causing the collapse of Pakatan Rakyat.

The opposition pact is now known as Pakatan Harapan, made up of DAP, the People’s Justice Party (PKR) and new party Parti Amanah Negara. It does not include PAS.

GMMF is a brainchild of Mr Najib to embrace moderation and reject extremism in all forms in order to co-exist peacefully.

The prime minister is listed as the patron of the foundation that advocates a movement that promotes values and networks of moderation for a more inclusive, sustainable and equitable society. MALAY MAIL ONLINE, THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER