KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today alluded to the fact that he is not closing the door completely on his party’s political cooperation with PAS under Muafakat Nasional (MN).
In fact, the Bagan Datuk lawmaker said Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) are undecided on official political alliances as the Melaka election looms.
In a press conference in conjunction with the launch of Umno’s state election machinery, Zahid said its official decision will be announced after Umno and BN Supreme Council members have met.
“The final decision for Umno and BN to work with other parties has not been officially decided.
“The final decision will be announced after we have a political bureau meeting, Umno Supreme Council meeting followed by the BN supreme council meeting that will be held next week.
“God willing, or at a date before the nomination day,” he said.
The former deputy prime minister admitted that he has been approached by other parties to form political pacts ahead of the state election.
“Various parties came to us. We are open-minded and we welcome whoever who wants to share their thoughts with us. All decisions will be made collectively when the time comes.”
He added that his party is putting emphasis on science and data via statistics obtained from the 2013 and 2018 general elections when fielding candidates.
“We are focusing on the candidates’ possibility of winning in the state assembly seat and also our projections for this state election. All areas are hot seats and we are going to work hard in all those focused areas.”
Earlier today, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad had said his party is still awaiting the Umno Supreme Council’s decision on the Umno-PAS pact under MN.
Idris said Zahid’s desire for his party to contest solo in the Melaka election should not be accepted as an official decision.
He added that PAS’ main focus now is to ensure that Pakatan Harapan does not return to power in the state.
The MN political alliance between Umno and PAS was formed in September 2019.
Yesterday, the Election Commission (EC) set November 20 as polling day for the Melaka vote and November 8 for nomination, giving parties 12 days to campaign.
EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh had said early voters can cast their ballots on November 16. – The Vibes, October 19, 2021
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