Both will reject any new political alignment, especially involving PH, to form govt post-GE15
by AZREEN HANI & AFIQ AZIZ / pic by BERNAMA
PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and PAS have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in facing the 15th General Election (GE15).
Both parties have also committed that they will reject any new political alignment, especially involving the Opposition pact, Pakatan Harapan (PH), to form the government post-GE15.
Prime Minister and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (picture) and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang met on Tuesday to deliberate on the formation of a stronger cooperation and strategies for Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“Bersatu and PAS leaders have agreed to continue to strengthen their cooperation in PN to face GE15,” a joint statement by the two parties read.
It was signed by secretaries general of Bersatu Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan of PAS.
As the pioneers of PN, both parties will form a committee at the central level to strategise and decide on the direction of both parties for the next general poll, including seat allocations.
“We ask all Malay, Muslim and Bumiputera organisations and all Malaysians to come together for a better future for the country,” the parties added.
However, Umno Perlis information chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim told reporters yesterday that PAS is still bound to Muafakat Nasional (MN) — a pact it has with Umno. He urged both MN parties to discuss their direction.
On Umno’s decision with PN, Shahidan said it is up to the MPs to agree with the coalition or not.
“When PN was formed, it was not based on the party’s (en bloc) decision, but from the MPs,” he explained.
Earlier, Muhyiddin said Umno ministers will remain in the Cabinet despite the party’s resolution at the recent general assembly to sever ties with Bersatu.
Muhyiddin said in a statement that the party leaders have reached an agreement over the matter, as the government’s focus is to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Currently, the main focus of the government is to combat Covid-19, implement a national immunisation programme and revive the country’s economy.
“Several ministers from Umno hold important portfolios related to the main focus of the government at the moment.
“Therefore, I do not want their resignation from the Cabinet to affect all the government’s plans to overcome the Covid-19 problem and revive the country’s economy,” he said.
Muhyiddin said he had met with Umno ministers on Monday, where they sought his advice on their position in the Cabinet.
“I have advised them to stay in the Cabinet. This takes into account the interests of the people and the country,” Muhyiddin said.
Read our previous report here
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