‘UMNO, PAS IN TALKS OVER COMING POLLS’
Islamic party’s broken ties with Pakatan are an advantage for BN, says Adnan
THE trajectory of Umno and Pas’s relations may be apolitical, but it is confirmed “talks” are taking place between the country’s two largest Malay-based parties concerning the 14th General Election (GE14).
Although the nature of such talks was not revealed, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said there had yet to be any confirmation on an Umno-Pas political cooperation, but both parties were indeed “talking to each other”.
“God knows if both parties will work together (for GE14). But, we are talking to them, and they are talking to us at the moment.
“So, let’s see what happens,” Adnan said yesterday when asked on Umno’s readiness to work with Pas in the polls.
Last week, Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa had said the party’s Supreme Council would back Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak if he sought to cooperate with Pas in GE14.
Tengku Adnan was attending a sacrificial ceremony in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha in Presint 9 here yesterday. Some 135 cows were slaughtered and distributed to 500 residents here.
Adnan said the broken ties between Pas and opposition pact Pakatan Harapan would be an advantage for Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said Pas’s strengths centred on its large membership and strong structure, which was lacking among Pakatan parties.
“Due to the factors that define Pas’s strengths, of course its decision to leave the opposition pact is an advantage for BN.”
On Monday, Pakatan’s pro-tem presidential council held a meeting, attended by top leaders of PKR, DAP, Parti Amanah Negara and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
They decided to reject the possibility of cooperating with Pas in GE14.
Political analysts had predicted a huge number of three-cornered fights in GE14, which would put BN in a favourable position to win the polls due to split votes among the opposition.