Umno-Pas cooperation finally takes shape in Melaka after five years, says Khaled

MELAKA: Umno is determined to realise its long-delayed cooperation with Pas in the Melaka state election, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Khaled said the election as a testing ground for a new political formula ahead of the next general election.

"This should have happened a long time ago, but it did not materialise five years ago. This time, we must ensure that the cooperation takes place," he said.

He said the cooperation was not merely aimed at securing victory for Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Rais Yasin in the Sungai Udang state seat, but also at uniting the Malay community.

"If we succeed, this will be the formula we adopt when facing the general election," he said in a speech before accompanying Rais to the nomination centre at the Multipurpose Hall of the Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela) Training Academy in Sungai Udang today.

Also present were Pas vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad, Umno Supreme Council members Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Datuk Azian Osman; and Pas Central Working Committee member and Senator Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.

Khaled said unity among the Malay community was important to maintaining political stability and building consensus that would benefit all communities.

In a related development, he said Umno would support the Pas candidate contesting the Paya Rumput state seat, just as Pas was supporting the BN candidate in Sungai Udang.

He hoped the cooperation would help candidates from both parties win all four state seats in the Tangga Batu parliamentary constituency.

The Sungai Udang seat will see a three-cornered contest involving Rais, who is representing BN, Abdullah Mahadi of Bersatu and Mohd Ridzuan Abdul Rahman from Parti Bersama Malaysia.