PASIR SALAK: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for a merger between Umno and PAS.

“Let us set aside our differences in the name of Islam, Malays, Malaysia and bumiputra and merge.

“It was a mistake for us to fight each other,” the Umno president said, adding that he would be willing to lead the merger.

He said this at a gathering to oppose the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) at Kampung Gajah here on Saturday (Nov 17) night.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also said that a “grandfather” was to be blamed for the hate by Umno towards PAS, taking a jab at Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"He taught us to hate PAS, DAP, and other parties but now they are together.

“We have been lied to for 22 years,” Dr Ahmad Zahid claimed.

The proposal for the merger was, however, not mentioned by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in his speech at the event.

Abdul Hadi had only touched on their objection towards ICERD.

Another mega gathering to oppose ICERD is set to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8.