SEREMBAN – Umno’s decision to cease cooperation with Bersatu for the 15th general election (GE15) was not influenced by any other party, its deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said.
He said that the party was instead only fulfilling grassroots members’ demands.
“Umno is a mature party. We will no longer be with Bersatu during the election.
“This was not a decision made by one or two people, but by more than 100 divisions, so there is no issue about it being influenced by anyone,” he told reporters after chairing the Negri Sembilan Muafakat Nasional committee meeting here today, with state PAS commissioner Rafiei Mustapha also present.
He was commenting on former Barisan Nasional secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa’s statement claiming that Umno seemed to be under the influence of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Mohamad added that Umno remained with its stand to cooperate with PAS in strengthening MN.
Meanwhile, Rafiei said PAS holds firmly to its principles of strengthening MN and defending Perikatan Nasional, and would take a mediator position, strengthening cooperation among Malay Muslims.
“We will implement whatever decision is made by the central PAS leadership. In today’s meeting, we agreed to form a task force to implement programmes with Umno at the state, division, and branch level,” he said. – Bernama, March 6, 2021