KUALA KANGSAR: Umno will never cooperate with Pas as long as Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is the president of the party, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
The Umno president said this follows his experience working together with the Marang member of Parliament, who he claimed is always inconsistent with his stance.
Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, cited an incident in the past where he had a private meeting with Hadi.
Without disclosing the details of the meeting, Zahid claimed that Hadi had initially agreed on the outcome before changing his mind the following day.
"He had initially agreed (on the outcome of the meeting) but then changed his mind," said Zahid in his speech when he launched Kuala Kangsar Umno division's meeting here today.
Present were Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Perak Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Azian Osman, and Kuala Kangsar Umno division chief Datuk Maslin Sham Razman.
Zahid also accused Pas of being a party that "has been lying from the past until now."
"As long as that person (Hadi) is the president, do not expect us to cooperate with a party that exploits Islam."
In his speech, Zahid also reminded Umno members not to be arrogant and to accept the reality that the best way to ensure the party's survival is through political cooperation.
"We must accept the fact that in politics there are no permanent enemies or friends.
"Today might be a friend, tomorrow an enemy.... And today an enemy, but perhaps a friend tomorrow," he said.