Muhyiddin says UMNO-PAS rivalry will return despite current BN-PN cooperation
THE embrace between UMNO and PAS may be on display in Negeri Sembilan, but beneath the show of cooperation lies a rivalry that Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin believes has not gone away.
The former prime minister said the current understanding between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the state election campaign should not be mistaken as a permanent arrangement between the two Malay-based parties.
Speaking at a ceramah in Jeram Padang last night, Muhyiddin claimed PAS’ willingness to work with UMNO at this stage was aimed at avoiding direct clashes between the two parties.
He said Negeri Sembilan was being used as a platform to send a message to UMNO to stay away from challenging PAS in states where the party has established a strong presence, particularly in the north.
“Let UMNO learn from this election, so it does not go against PAS in states where PAS is strong in the north.
“But remember, I believe UMNO will eventually challenge PAS again,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the current cooperation between the two parties should be viewed as temporary, arguing that long-standing political competition between UMNO and PAS would eventually resurface.
He pointed to the contrast between the current campaign environment in Negeri Sembilan and the political landscape in northern states, where PAS has strengthened its position over the years.
“Here in Negeri Sembilan, they are embracing each other. But tomorrow, they will face problems because this situation will not be repeated in the northern states,” he said.
The Bersatu president also urged voters not to be easily influenced by the BN-PN cooperation, describing it as a political strategy ahead of the election.
Defending his party’s position, Muhyiddin said Bersatu had remained consistent with its principles and would not compromise on issues involving wrongdoing or breaches of the law.
“We have never deceived (the people). What is wrong remains wrong, and those who break the law have broken the law,” he said.
The remarks come as BN and PN, despite being rivals at the federal level, have adopted a more restrained approach towards each other during the Negeri Sembilan election campaign. – July 25, 2026
