KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 ― Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today his party and the Opposition PAS have agreed to work together on issues where they have common interests.

Speaking at a press conference after closing the Umno assembly here, Najib said that he and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang are both attending a rally for the Rohingya community’s plight in Myanmar tomorrow on that basis.

“We decided on issues where we have common stand, we will work together,” he said.

“It doesn’t mean we are in a coalition but on issues that we have common ground we have certainly decided to work together,” he added.

However, Najib did not rule out the possibility of an electoral pact in the future.

“It’s too early to say anything. I believe politics is dynamic but this isn’t an issue of politics, but an issue of universal values, Islam and dignity of life,” he added.

Malay Mail Online obtained a voice recording of the news conference for this report.

Umno and PAS relations have improved in recent times following the government’s support for a private member’s Bill by Hadi to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act in order to increase the Syariah courts’ punishment caps to a maximum 30 years’ imprisonment, RM100,000 fine and 100 lashes of the cane.

It previously sought to remove all limits to Shariah punishments save for the death penalty.