GEORGE TOWN – Penang Umno still hopes that the party leadership and PAS can discuss working together to face the 15th general election (GE15).
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said this was in view of the two parties’ harmonious situation and close relationship in Penang.
“The situation in Penang is different, we are indeed very close with PAS. So when this (Umno moving solo) happens, we will have to clash with PAS even though we hope to avoid a three-cornered clash involving PAS.
“We still hope that the leaderships of PAS and Umno can resolve this matter… if not, we will have to agree and fight in a friendly manner,” he told reporters after the launch of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress election machinery last night.
On Thursday, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno and BN decided to face GE15 alone following PAS’ decision to strengthen cooperation with Perikatan Nasional.
Meanwhile, Musa, who is also Penang BN chairman, said the state BN now has an additional 13 state seats and four parliamentary seats to contest after Gerakan left the coalition on June 23, 2018 to join PN in February last year.
In GE14, Penang BN contested 40 state seats and 13 parliamentary seats with Gerakan in 13 state seats and four parliamentary seats, Umno in 15 state seats and five parliamentary seats, and MCA in 10 state seats, and four parliamentary seats, while MIC had two state seats. – Bernama, October 15, 2022
