KUALA LUMPUR – Umno has no issues if its ally PAS works with Bersatu in the 15th general election, so long as it is not at the expense of the Barisan Nasional lynchpin, said Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
The Umno election director told a press conference here today that he is confident the two partners in Muafakat Nasional can find a working formula to continue cooperation, but warned the Islamist outfit about going against his party.
“PAS can work with Bersatu if they wish, that is their problem. But they must not break away from us or cause us any trouble.
“What I mean is that wherever Umno contests (against Bersatu), PAS must not assist the latter. If, for instance, Bersatu contests in Bukit Bintang, which we aren’t, then PAS can support and campaign for them, by all means.
“But if Bersatu places a candidate in my constituency, Pasir Salak, for example, then don’t assist them. If PAS supports Bersatu, then siap lah (watch out).”
The Supreme Council member was commenting on PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s statement yesterday that the party wishes to continue its political cooperation with both Bersatu and Umno even after GE15.
Umno, on the other hand, has made it clear on a number of occasions that its support for Perikatan Nasional is conditional and only until the elections.
Tajuddin maintained that at the moment, his party will work solely with PAS – aside from its BN partners – ahead of the vote, and discounted the possibility of cooperation with other parties, including those in Pakatan Harapan.
He said PAS should understand his party’s position on not working with Bersatu after Umno was relegated to playing “second fiddle” in the government despite having the most MPs.
“Our decision was not made overnight. Before Tuan Ibrahim or PAS issues any advice to us, they must know our problem. You are not from Umno, you wouldn’t understand.”
On whether Umno has started discussions on the seats it is eyeing for GE15, he said the party aims to contest 120 parliamentary seats if it heads into the polls without a political ally.
“But if PAS agrees to work with us, then we are targeting 96 seats. This is excluding our BN components MCA and MIC.”
Tajuddin said if Umno is able to secure at least 90 of the 120 seats, it will be the most dominant party in Parliament, paving the way for it to form a new government. – The Vibes, March 9, 2021
