PAS appears increasingly eager to rebuild formal political ties with UMNO, but Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has made it clear that any suggestion of a seat-sharing agreement for the Negeri Sembilan state election is premature.
Zahid firmly dismissed claims that BN and PAS had already reached a deal, saying discussions between the two parties amounted only to an "understanding" and not a final agreement.
"What was said should not all be treated as accurate because we do not have any agreement with PAS," he told reporters after an event organised by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
His remarks directly contradicted PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who had earlier claimed that both parties had agreed in principle for BN to defend its 14 existing seats while PAS would retain the three seats it currently holds, with negotiations continuing over another 17 constituencies.
Zahid also cautioned BN leaders against placing excessive confidence in PAS's public statements, warning that the party's position could change according to political circumstances.
"We should have faith, but not be too positive. They can change the goalposts anytime," he said.
The differing narratives once again highlight the trust deficit that continues to shadow relations between UMNO and PAS following the collapse of Muafakat Nasional. Although PAS has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving formal cooperation, UMNO has remained cautious, particularly after PAS chose to align itself with Perikatan Nasional ahead of the 2022 general election.
The latest developments come just days after PAS openly claimed credit for BN's landslide victory in the Johor state election. Abdul Hadi said PAS had deliberately sacrificed its own electoral ambitions by directing members to support BN candidates in seats where PAS did not contest, including MCA candidates, arguing that the priority was preventing Pakatan Harapan (PH) from winning the state.
PAS portrayed the move as a political sacrifice, likening it to a candle burning itself to provide light for others. At the same time, Abdul Hadi reminded UMNO not to assume its political dominance would last forever, suggesting PAS had played a crucial role in consolidating the Malay vote behind BN.
With Johor now behind them, PAS is seeking a political return on that investment.
In Negeri Sembilan, PAS has indicated that it hopes to contest more than 10 seats, most of them currently held by PH. The party has even signalled its willingness to allow UMNO to retain the Menteri Besar's post should BN emerge victorious, a concession that costs PAS relatively little given it currently controls only three of the state's 36 seats.
The strategy reflects PAS's broader objective of consolidating Malay votes in mixed constituencies while weakening PH's multiracial support base. Several of the targeted seats reportedly include constituencies where DAP has traditionally performed strongly but where Malay voters account for around 40 per cent of the electorate.
However, Zahid's response suggests UMNO is not prepared to rush into another formal alliance.
Rather than embracing PAS's proposal, BN appears determined to retain maximum flexibility as it prepares for the Negeri Sembilan polls. Zahid said BN would adopt a strategy suited specifically to Negeri Sembilan's political landscape, rather than simply replicating the formula used in Johor.
"The formula must be adjusted to the political situation in Negeri Sembilan," he said, adding that BN's candidates would be announced later this week.
Political observers may see Zahid's careful wording as an indication that UMNO is keeping its options open. While PAS appears increasingly desperate to restore a formal partnership after severing ties with Bersatu earlier this year, UMNO seems content to let PAS continue making overtures without committing itself.
For now, the message from BN is unmistakable: PAS may be knocking on UMNO's door again, but UMNO is in no hurry to let it in.
By: Kpost
Information Source:
Fmt , Fmt , TheRakyatPost
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