PAS is ready to face the 16th General Election (GE16) at any time, party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said today, as a senior UMNO delegation attended the PAS Ulama Muktamar in a fresh sign of closer engagement between the two rival parties.
Abdul Hadi said PAS had no issue with GE16 being held earlier than scheduled, leaving the decision on the timing to the Government.
“We have our candidates, leave that to us. Indeed, there are... God willing, God willing.
“We have many, many,” he told reporters after opening the 65th PAS Central Ulama Muktamar in Kota Bharu today.
He said PAS was already preparing for the election, including identifying potential candidates.
His remarks came after UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders called for GE16 to be held earlier, before Parliament’s current term expires late next year.
BN chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said an earlier election would allow the Federal Government’s mandate to be returned to the people.
On the prospect of an early election, Abdul Hadi said PAS was accustomed to not knowing the election date well in advance.
“We are used to it. We have experienced situations in Malaysia where the election date was not announced early, while other countries do so.
“It is up to the Government,” he said.
Meanwhile, UMNO Ulama Council chairman Datuk Dusuki Ahmad’s presence at the PAS Ulama Muktamar provided a fresh indication of efforts to bridge the longstanding divide between the two parties.
Dusuki, accompanied by his deputy Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali, committee members and representatives of Parti Wawasan Negara (WAWASAN), said he was grateful to have received the invitation from the PAS Ulama Council.
He described the gathering as a positive beginning towards strengthening cooperation between UMNO and PAS, particularly in addressing future challenges and efforts to unite Muslims.
“For me, it is a good beginning towards strengthening and cooperation in facing the future. At this time, the unity taking place is very appropriate because we have been quarrelling and differing in opinion for far too long.
“All this while, we have only negotiated and negotiated, reached consensus and consensus, and cooperated in that form alone. We hope that in future, this cooperation will be formalised not for the interests of UMNO and PAS, but for the Muslim community.
“I feel that the ijtihad we have made today is very good indeed,” he said.
The high-profile UMNO presence at the PAS assembly comes as both parties position themselves for GE16, potentially opening the door to deeper political cooperation after years of rivalry and division. - September 3, 2026
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