PAS to remain opposition party

PAS to remain opposition party

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The fundamentalist Moslem party
controlling Malaysia's only opposition-run state said yesterday
it could not work together politically with the dominant UMNO
party since the groups had different goals.

Kelantan state's Chief Minister, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, said UMNO
(United Malays National Organization) focused on nationalism
while his Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) strove to uphold Islamic
principles, the national Bernama news agency reported.

"If UMNO wants to accept Islamic policies, then there will be
no problems between us. But as long as it pursues nationalistic
policies, it has to carry on with its way and we have our own way
too," he told reporters at his residence in northeastern Kelantan
state yesterday.

He said ties between the two parties would be confined to
collaboration in economic and social fields, as PAS would
continue its role as an opposition party, Bernama reported.