KOTA BARU: Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the statements from Umno president, declaring non-cooperation with Pas, will not pose any issue for the Islamic party.
The Pas deputy president said the latest statement by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also did not have any impact on Pas.
Instead, the Kubang Kerian MP said Zahid should have reminded Umno leadership who made the proposal (for political cooperation between the two parties) through Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil.
"I am only responding to a question raised by a reporter recently and my answer is more to the principle of unification of the ummah.
"Those who don't want it, it is not a problem for Pas," he said in a brief reply to New Straits Times today.
Tuan Ibrahim was responding to a statement by Umno president today that the party has shut its door on a possibility of the party entering a political cooperation with Pas.
Zahid did not hold back when he told Pas to "put an end to their day dream" over the latter's readiness to work with Umno.
"Maybe they are suffering from 'gila talak' (political separation sickness) since they were previously in the government.
"It must be painful for them (Pas) since they are in the opposition pact, although they have a significant number of (parliamentary) seats.
"As of now, Allah has yet to open our (Umno) hearts to enter any form of political cooperation with them," he said.
Zahid, who is Deputy Prime Minister, was asked to comment on the statement made by Tuan Ibrahim who had told an online portal today that his party was open to working with Umno again despite the 'bitter' history between them.
Tuan Ibrahim, however, said if both parties decide to cooperate again, it must be done through the Perikatan Nasional (PN) bloc.