KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today blamed Pas for the demise of the Muafakat Nasional (MN) alliance.
Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said Umno has always been sincere in its intention to forge political ties with Pas, despite their historical rivalry.
The Bagan Datuk member of Parliament claimed it was Pas' lack of honesty and self-serving agenda that led to the end of MN.
"I facilitated reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, two factions with differing views, in which, some suggested that such a unity was possible.
"Why couldn't Umno and Pas achieve the same? We demonstrated our commitment to uniting the ummah through MN, only to be deceived by those who instrumentalised Islam for political interests.
"I extend my apologies to anyone who may have been their supporter here. MN was dismissed due to their lack of honesty and sincerity." he said in his speech at the flag off humanitarian aid for Palestine today.
On March 13, Pas vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar had said he was not opposed to the idea of reviving MN's alliance with Umno.
He had said Umno, together with Parti Amanah Negara and other Malay-Muslim parties, should unite for the people.
Following his remarks, Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar expressed disdain over the MN idea, claiming that it was nothing but Pas' political agenda to topple the unity government.
On Feb 15, Pas spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin said the party would not close the door to cooperation with Umno to revive MN.