BANDAR SAUJANA PUTRA – Umno remains open to forging ties with PAS for the 15th general election (GE15) as the Barisan Nasional (BN) lynchpin awaits further discussions on seat allocation, said Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
“PAS has been with us for a while now,” he said after a working visit at the LRT3’s Casting Yard here today. “All is left is seat allocations and to ensure that PAS is going to be us. For now, PAS has not come back to us. It sounds like a divorce, but I am sure they are mulling over it.
“Umno is very clear, we have made the decision to be with PAS for GE15. We are waiting now for PAS’ decision – and once we get a final decision from PAS to be with us, we can discuss seat allocation.”
Tajuddin – who is Umno elections director and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman – said the party is willing to accord more seats for PAS to contest should it choose to take Umno’s side for the polls.
“PAS has 18 parliament seats now. If they want 30 seats to contest in, go ahead, there is no problem. There are 222 seats to be contested anyways.
“No matter what, Umno will contest 96 seats. PAS if they feel like divorcing or getting married once again, it’s up to them. They can contest on their own as well. This is not my decision but Umno’s decision.”
The Pasir Salak MP reiterated that while Umno will not work with other parties before polls, the party will be open to a working relationship to form a government post-election.
“We will see how. Let’s look at the circumstances when it happens. We will be open to working with those who are interested to form the government and if it benefits Umno.
“Umno has never been selfish in that sense. We have always shared seats under BN with MCA and MIC, our pribumi partners, then in Sabah and Sarawak – so there are no issues whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, Tajuddin also slammed Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa for questioning Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call for relevant ministers in the present Perikatan Nasional (PN) cabinet to step down when the time comes.
Annuar had said that the call was unnecessary given the present circumstances.
“Why is (Zahid’s call) unreasonable? This is to ensure that the party has no enemies from within.
“This is to ensure the party is free from such people. If Annuar Musa feels that he is the one being pointed out as such, so be it.
“After all, he is the one who is openly criticising the party, criticising the president, criticising everybody,” he added.
Yesterday, Tajuddin said he was ready to quit his post as Prasarana chairman if the party officially leaves the PN government.
He had said the post in the government-linked company cannot be compared to years of struggle in Umno. – The Vibes, March 29, 2021
