KUALA LUMPUR – It may be too soon to speculate or close the door on the Muafakat Nasional cooperation with PAS, said Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.
He said there may still be hope for MN, and halting it may not be the best move.
Shahril acknowledged that PAS’ Perikatan Nasional membership complicates matters, and said it is up to the Islamist party to uncomplicate the politics of its alliance with Umno.
“Their (PAS) membership in PN complicates any negotiations, but I wouldn’t shut the door yet. In today’s politics, shutting the door entirely isn’t wise,” he told The Vibes.
“It’s also up to PAS to try and make things less complicated. We cannot dictate what other parties do, just as they can’t dictate our decisions.”
Meanwhile, PAS Syura Council member Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed is of the opinion that his party can mediate talks between Umno and Bersatu, given that it has ties to both.
Any situation where Umno and PAS refrain from working together would fail the objective of keeping Malay-Muslim parties in power, he said.
“In my opinion, I hope all sides will discuss dividing seats for the upcoming elections.
“Not just Umno and PAS, but with Bersatu, too. Of course, if anyone refuses, we can’t do anything.
“But PAS can be the middleman between Umno and Bersatu during the negotiations, as we have a relationship with both, and need them.”
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s comments recently seem to hint that the political cooperation with PAS is over.
His remarks came after PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the coalition’s pact will involve only Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan. – The Vibes, October 2, 2021
