Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says Umno and PAS can test political cooperation in Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah based on mutual respect and honesty.
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has backed a proposed “sincerity test” for political cooperation with PAS, naming Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah as the first states where the two parties could test their ability to work together ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
Zahid said the move would allow Umno to assess whether PAS was genuinely committed to political understanding, following deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s challenge for the party’s “new friends” to demonstrate their sincerity through cooperation on the ground.
“We will test first in Terengganu and Kelantan as well as Kedah,” Zahid said when winding up the 2026 Umno General Assembly today.
He said any cooperation must be based on mutual respect, honesty and a commitment not to betray one another, while recognising that political unity did not necessarily mean the two parties had to become identical.
“This cooperation or understanding must be based on mutual respect, no betrayal and honesty for the benefit of the ummah as a whole,” he said.
Zahid said Umno and PAS should be mature enough to find common ground that could bring them together during elections, including GE16.
“Unity does not necessarily mean that we become the same. But we must be mature enough to find the points that can unite us in the election, including the 16th General Election,” he said.
His remarks came after Mohamad proposed using Terengganu as a test of PAS’ sincerity, saying Umno should not be the only side making efforts towards political understanding.
The proposal signals a shift from broad discussions on tafahum siyasi towards testing whether such understanding can translate into practical electoral cooperation.
Zahid also described the presence of PAS leaders at the Umno assembly as a positive indication that space for friendship between the two parties was opening.
He said the relationship should be strengthened not merely for political considerations but in the interest of Malay and Muslim unity.
Zahid also secured delegates’ backing for Umno Youth to work with PAS on a nationwide roadshow culminating in a proposed gathering targeting one million Muslims.
He said the initiative would begin with state-level programmes before culminating in a large national gathering.
He instructed Umno’s Youth machinery, with support from Wanita and Puteri, to give full backing to the state-level gatherings and joint efforts with PAS.
The developments indicate that Umno is testing the limits of cooperation with PAS ahead of GE16, while stopping short of announcing any formal political alliance.
