UMNO Kelantan Information Chief Datuk Zawawi Othman has publicly apologised to PAS for previously referring to several of the party’s leaders as the “three scoundrels”.
Zawawi, who is also the Kelantan spokesman, issued the apology while debating the UMNO president’s policy speech at the 2026 UMNO General Assembly (PAU) at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here on Saturday.
“PAS, I apologise for previously calling you the ‘three scoundrels’. That was in the past.
“Now, I extend my hand in the spirit of goodwill so that we can uphold our religion in this country and unite our people without denying the rights of other races.
“Let us work together to defend our religion, race and homeland. Let us do it together,” he said.
Zawawi, who is known for his outspoken criticism, had previously said UMNO could not cooperate with PAS as long as the three leaders remained in positions of power in the party.
The three leaders he referred to were PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
Zawawi had described them as the “three scoundrels” because he claimed they were known for making offensive or malicious remarks.
Explaining his decision to apologise, Zawawi said it was prompted by recent political developments involving UMNO and PAS.
In the same speech, he also stressed that UMNO had no intention of being hostile towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
However, he said the party was unhappy with Anwar’s approach, which he claimed was influenced by advice from those around him.
“We do not hate you, but we see that you have been listening too much to the advisers around you. You have been too obedient to DAP’s demands,” he said.
This keeps the “three scoundrels” controversy prominent while preserving Zawawi’s criticism of Anwar and DAP.
