Tajuddin says Umno is well-prepared to face the possibility of a snap election, with or without support from PAS

by AFIQ AZIZ / pic by RAZAK GHAZALI

UMNO will have fewer seats to compete in the next general election (GE) if they continue their partnership with PAS, according to Umno election director Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (picture).

Tajuddin said Umno is well-prepared to face the possibility of a snap election, with or without support from PAS, under the pair’s Muafakat Nasional partnership.

The Pasir Salak MP is confident that Umno will come out stronger after the 15th GE (GE15) is held, especially once it severs ties with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in the upcoming polls.

“Umno will rise again after GE15. If Umno contests on its own, the party will be able to contest in 120 seats, but with PAS, Umno will have to settle with just 96 seats,” he told reporters after a site visit at the LRT Ampang Depot yesterday.

Describing PAS as a “small” party, Tajuddin warned the Islamic-based party not to get caught in the crossfire between Umno and Bersatu.

He said Umno remains firm in its decision not to work with Bersatu and would reject PAS’ efforts to mend ties between the two parties.

On Monday, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man advised party leaders to support the current government and reduce infighting between all three parties.

He said the ongoing turmoil would distract the government from assisting the people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tuan Ibrahim said he hoped to see the “political consensus” under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner between Bersatu, PAS and Umno to continue beyond GE15 for the betterment of the country.

Tajuddin, however, claimed that PAS’ ceasefire call is aimed at disparaging the biggest party in the PN coalition.

“Are they trying to harass or threaten or belittle Umno? Tuan Ibrahim (obviously) does not know how Umno feels,” he said.

“PAS is a small party, and Umno is a big party. We do not want to be a dwarf party. That seems to be the signal that they are sending now; to make Umno look like a small party,” Tajuddin added.

He said Umno will have no qualms if PAS eventually decides to work with Bersatu, though he warned that the party must not put Umno in a tough situation.

Tajuddin added that should Umno come face-to-face with Bersatu in any of the contested GE15 constituencies, PAS must not campaign for Bersatu candidates.

“We want to cooperate with PAS, but they must sort out their issues and stance with Bersatu. PAS and Umno should be united,” he said.

Tajuddin also said Bersatu should be grateful for Umno’s support for PN so far as Umno has willingly surrendered the highest position at the executive level despite Bersatu having a smaller number of parliamentary seats.

Bersatu, PAS and Umno are expected to go head-to-head, vying support from the same Malay-dominant demography, in the upcoming polls.