NEGOTIATIONS between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN) are under way and showing positive progress, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said on Friday, signalling continued efforts to shape political cooperation ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
Hadi said the discussions remained ongoing and had yet to produce a final agreement, while PAS continued to keep the door open to negotiations with parties with strong Malay support.
“Always to be negotiated, including among parties that have strong Malay support,” he said at a press conference during the 72nd PAS Annual Muktamar at the Islamic Education Centre (PUTIK) in Pengkalan Chepa today.
He was responding to questions on the latest developments involving PAS, PN, BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH), as speculation over possible electoral cooperation intensifies ahead of GE16.
Hadi confirmed that negotiations between PN and BN had already begun, adding that the experience of cooperation during the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections was among the factors being considered.
He stressed, however, that the negotiations had not reached a final decision.
Asked about BN’s openness to cooperation with PAS, Abdul Hadi said the matter depended on the other party.
“That is up to them. We, we are ourselves. We... we,” he said.
Hadi also used his policy speech at the muktamar to frame corruption as an issue that should be dealt with through law enforcement rather than political campaigning.
He said corruption should not be used as political ammunition to destroy opponents, but treated as wrongdoing that must be prevented, with enforcement carried out fairly and without political selectivity.
“Unfortunately, in Malaysia, the issue of corruption is often used as political ammunition to bring down opponents, rather than as wrongdoing that must be prevented.
“This happens when action is taken selectively against opponents, while misconduct within one’s own ranks is allowed to continue, whether involving recipients of bribes, those giving bribes or intermediaries who arrange corrupt dealings,” he said.
He said PAS regretted weaknesses in the management of public funds and government-linked companies (GLCs), adding that such matters should be brought before the courts rather than debated in the media or on political platforms.
“There is no denying that there have been weaknesses in the management of public funds and GLCs, which we deeply regret.”
Hadi also criticised the use of such issues as election campaign material to create negative perceptions, citing the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into Tabung Haji.
He warned that the position of Islam and Muslims would be most vulnerable under a government dominated by non-Muslim groups.
He said this was particularly concerning under a Pakatan Harapan government, which he claimed was dominated by non-Muslim groups and posed a threat to the objectives of Islamic law, or maqasid al-syariah.
“Therefore, action aimed at rejecting major harm must be given priority,” he said. - September 4, 2026
