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SEREMBAN – Pas has confirmed that it is in discussions with Barisan Nasional (BN) ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug 1.
Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said negotiations between the two parties are ongoing and have been progressing positively.
"Yes, we are working towards cooperating with BN. At the initial stage, we had already sought to work together to take over the state government through statutory declarations (SDs), but unfortunately, two Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) assemblymen withdrew.
"At that time, BN did not pull out. That showed there was room for cooperation from the very beginning. As we prepare for this state election, discussions are still ongoing and have been very positive," he said after the Negeri Sembilan Pas Grand Dinner here on Sunday.
Abdul Hadi said Pas has, in principle, agreed to allow BN to defend the 14 seats it won in the previous election, while Pas will continue to contest the three seats it currently holds.
He said the remaining 17 seats would be finalised through negotiations between the two parties.
"BN already has 14 seats, while we have five seats (including the two held by Bersatu). The remaining seats will be divided between us.
"Wait until the candidates are announced. But we accept the reality that in Negeri Sembilan, BN is dominant and will lead," he said.
He also said Pas has no objection to BN retaining the Menteri Besar's post, provided the candidate is a Malay Muslim.
On the logo Pas will use in the state election, Abdul Hadi said the matter has yet to be decided.
"Each party may use its own logo. Pas has yet to decide whether to contest under the Pas logo or the Perikatan Nasional (PN) logo. That is still under discussion," he said.
For the record, Pakatan Harapan (PH) won 17 seats in the last state election, comprising 11 won by DAP, five by PKR and one by Amanah.
BN secured 14 seats, while PN won five seats, with PAS taking Bagan Pinang, Serting and Paroi, and Bersatu winning Gemas and Labu.
