MARANG: Hand over the management of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) to the state government to ensure the legacy of its founders and the purpose the university was established live on, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today.
“It (UniSZA) has had different names with the last being Kolej Ugama Sultan Zainal Abidin (Kusza). It had some financial issues and was later handed over to the Federal government with the hope that it becomes a better higher learning institution.
“But the proposed merger with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) may not be the best solution. In fact, it reflected the weakness of the Pakatan Harapan government to overcome the problems associated with the two universities.
“As such, to remove the burden from the PH government, the best way is to return the management of UniSZA to the state government. I am sure the state government could find ways to manage the university,” he said when met after his weekly usrah at the Rusila mosque.
Hadi said both the federal and state governments should discuss the future of both universities as well as the implications of a merger, although the decision would rest with the federal government.
On the signing of the charter between Pas and Umno, he said the programme would be held as planned and the event manager would broadcast it via the internet to enable the historic event to be viewed throughout the world.
“There is nothing to worry about. It is a peaceful event where two political parties would pledge cooperation to unite the Malays and the multi-racial society. This is not a racist rally because the MCA and MIC understood our move,” he added.
On the pressure mounted by the PH government who ridiculed the unity between Pas and Umno, Hadi said it they need not fear the cooperation because this is a democratic country.
“But they (PH) are of course uneasy when we (Pas and Umno) and the rest of the people unite,” he said adding that it was good that those who criticised have left the two Malay-based parties.