PAS is extending a fresh political overture to UMNO by inviting the party’s top leadership to its 72nd annual muktamar (PAS’s Annual General Assembly) next month, even as negotiations between PN and BN over the Melaka state election draw closer.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said a formal invitation would be sent to his UMNO counterpart soon, leaving it to the party to decide which leaders would attend.
“Through the meeting held, we agreed to invite UMNO leaders as political cooperation partners.
“We will send an invitation letter to the UMNO secretary-general and it is up to the party to decide whom to send.
“At the wing level, including Youth, we will also invite UMNO wing leaders,” he said after attending the PAS 72nd Annual Muktamar Committee Meeting in Kota Bharu on Sunday.
The muktamar, scheduled for next month, will also coincide with PAS’ 75th anniversary, Takiyuddin said.
“Until now, we are still receiving motions from PAS divisions as some divisions have only recently held their meetings,” he said.
The move comes as PN prepares to open discussions with BN on the Melaka state election, with Takiyuddin confirming that negotiations would cover the distribution of seats but would not involve Bersatu.
“Negotiations have not started yet but, in principle, we have agreed to hold negotiations and we will do so in the near future.
“The negotiations may not be the same as in Negeri Sembilan because every state is different and the distribution of seats is also different.
“For example, we do not have any seats in the state assembly but we have parliamentary seats in Melaka.
“All these will form the basis of our discussions. Whether they want to retain 20 or 21 seats, including the Rembia state seat, where the assemblyman has also joined PAS, will also be discussed,” he said.
Takiyuddin said the negotiations would have to take into account the political landscape in Melaka, where PAS does not currently hold any state assembly seats but has parliamentary representation.
Asked about reports that Pakatan Harapan (PH) had also held informal discussions with Melaka BN, Takiyuddin said he had no information on the matter and questioned whether such reports were genuine.
“I have no information and this issue has not arisen yet. We do not know whether it is true or not; that is something to ask Umno.
“If UMNO says it is true, then we will think about it later. It may also just be a political gimmick,” he said.
Earlier, Melaka PKR chairman Adam Adli Abd Halim was reported to have said that no formal negotiations had taken place with BN over cooperation for the upcoming state election.
He nevertheless acknowledged that informal communication and discussions between party representatives and BN had been taking place.
On the political understanding between PN and BN in the recent Negeri Sembilan state election, Takiyuddin stressed that the cooperation was formally documented and was not merely based on verbal assurances.
He said the written understanding was signed by PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and endorsed by the presidents of PAS and Parti Wawasan Negara.
BN was represented by its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and endorsed by the presidents of MCA and MIC.
“Through the written understanding, among other things, we agreed that the position of Menteri Besar would be given to BN, while the number of executive council members would be discussed by both sides and, following our discussions, we secured two executive council positions and the deputy speaker’s post.
“I confirm that the cooperation was not merely verbal but was based on a written understanding and, to date, there has been no move to revoke it.
“I am confident that this strong understanding will be carried forward into the state election and the general election (GE) in the interest of ummah unity,” he said.
Takiyuddin, who is also Kota Bharu MP, said such political understandings should be considered valid unless formally terminated.
“The understanding in Negeri Sembilan and the approach we have taken have never been cancelled and I believe both sides will continue to work together,” he said. - August 10, 2026
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