Tajuddin says Pakatan supporters have been bold in raising matters that are racially and religiously insulting. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has confirmed that he is eyeing a “top post” in Umno’s internal election soon, in a bid to return the party to its former glory.

Sinar Harian also reported the Umno Supreme Council member as urging the party and its rival PAS to cooperate in a new political bloc, meant to protect the interests and benefits of the Malay-Muslim community.

“Issues and demands made in these past one, two weeks are threatening the survival of Muslims; this is dangerous for us,” he was quoted as saying after a Pasir Salak Umno special meeting yesterday.

“I think even PAS members have become aware, the grassroots are ready to cooperate. There are spaces where it can be done without waiting for a long period.”

Tajuddin said he believes the new bloc will then pose a major challenge to Pakatan Harapan (PH), whose supporters he claims have been bold in raising matters that are racially and religiously insulting.

Umno is currently in Barisan Nasional, while Islamist party PAS has its own coalition Gagasan Sejahtera.

“Umno has to change its methods, has to be smarter in using a new method, one of them is to find allies.

“Even as the opposition, if Umno and PAS unite under one spirit, one heart, then surely we can challenge the PH government,” he reportedly said.

The former deputy minister of agriculture and agro-based industry also said Umno must be led by those who understand its current challenges.

“Therefore, if I receive the support of the grassroots, I wish to contest a top post. Which post that is, I will announce officially in a press conference this Sunday in Putra World Trade Centre,” he reportedly said.

Sinar Harian reported that Tajuddin is rumoured to have his eyes on the vice-president post.

Currently there is only one vice-president for Umno, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, after Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was promoted to acting deputy president and subsequently acting president.