KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has raised questions over the Umno-PAS cooperation under Muafakat Nasional (MN) as the Melaka election looms.
In an online talk show with NR Channel TV last night, the Bagan Datuk MP said he does not see light at the end of the tunnel for MN to be realised as the pact was never registered as a political entity with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
“Let Umno contest solo under the Barisan Nasional flag and, God willing, the people will choose the best party,” he said on the PRU15 – Membentuk Atau Mengikut Arus programme.
The MN political alliance between Umno and PAS was formed in September 2019.
The former deputy prime minister also alluded to the fact that his party will re-evaluate the cooperation as it has been “repeatedly” betrayed by the Islamist party.
“I have never been disappointed as a politician but we have to know that, when we share, especially in MN, we have to trust and not betray each other.
“It is enough that the betrayal happened once, but if it is done repeatedly, not to Umno but to various parties, I think it should be re-evaluated,” he said.
Melaka assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh had on October 5 said Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam had dissolved the state assembly the day prior, paving the way for an election.
This came after assemblyman Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Sg Udang-BN), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-BN), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu-Independent) and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas-Bersatu) pulled their support for the chief minister.
Meanwhile, last Sunday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had said the party had held a meeting to discuss the political crisis in Melaka.
Ahmad said Rauf and now caretaker chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali will present to the Umno Supreme Council recommendations and measures on the next course of action.
“Of course, the president (Zahid) and deputy president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan), as well as the prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob), will give their views on the political situation in Melaka,” he had told reporters after meeting state Umno liaison committee members in Klebang on Sunday. – The Vibes, October 13, 2021
