PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said there was never an attempt to include Pas in the unity government.
Zahid, who is Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, said the matter was never discussed among leaders of 19 component parties in the unity government.
"We have never considered it an official meeting and not a single move has been made in that direction," he said after chairing the Sports Development Cabinet Committee Meeting today.
Present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and her deputy Adam Adli Abdul Halim.
"I'm done with the party (Pas) as they practice 'mutaah' (marriage of convenience) in politics.
"None of the parties in the unity government believe them because they never kept their promises that have been mutually agreed upon.
"I think for the time being, we should forget about that," he said, adding that all parties in the unity government prioritise political stability.
Political stability, he said, was necessary despite differences in opinion.
"Different opinions should be celebrated according to the etiquette of dealing with differences...but only if they (Pas) understand that," he said.
Zahid said any party that believed that it was needed in the unity government must prove it in Dewan Rakyat.
"They should demonstrate their support during the debate of important bills or during the tabling of the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysian Plan (12MP) or 2024 Budget in October."
Yesterday, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man reitirated what party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said that several quarters had contacted the Islamist party to join the unity government.
Tuan Ibrahim said the offer was also presented to him by a representative from the government.
However, the Kubang Kerian member of parliament said the party would remain with Perikatan Nasional (PN) as promised during its election campaigns and would not lie to voters.
Tuan Ibrahim said the offer was made as PN had a lot more Malay supporters than Pakatan Harapan.
On Saturday, Hadi said the offer came about after PH, especially PKR, realised that its position was unstable as it had fewere Malay majority seats than Pas, who secured 43 seats in the 15th General Election.
Meanwhile, on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) information chief Datuk Razali Idris statement that Umno had become shaky following 'the offer' to Pas, Zahid said: "Surprisingly, they know better than me. Nonetheless, I welcome views that result from daydreaming.
"InsyaAllah, I'm more determined to strengthen this unity government."