Focus on Umno pact, PAS spiritual leader says after PN suspended

PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has urged the Islamic party’s leadership to focus on reaching an alliance with Umno in the Melaka state election following the suspension of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Hashim said the PAS central leadership should continue negotiating with Umno for an alliance, and both parties should avoid any action that could cause division between them.

He said achieving a PAS-Umno alliance in the Melaka polls would be a key step to expanding it to the 16th general election, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“PAS needs to expedite this uniting (of PAS and Umno). Looking at the current political scenario, now is the best time for PAS and Umno to unite.

“Regarding PN’s suspension, we can wait and see while our focus remains on cooperation between PAS and Umno.

“The leaders (of both parties) must prioritise the ummah’s interests, not their personal interests, by making this a reality. A PAS-Umno cooperation will benefit all of society, especially the Malays,” he said.

Hashim, who chairs PAS’s syura council, added that leaders from both sides should put aside their egos, especially when it comes to seat talks.

Barisan Nasional (BN) is expected to hold negotiations with prospective allies next week. The Umno-led coalition is keeping its door open to both PN and Pakatan Harapan, despite BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously stating the ruling state coalition’s intention to partner with PN in the Melaka polls.

Zahid said this after the BN-PN alliance secured a two-thirds majority in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election.