PAS may still work with Umno despite its Ahmad Zahid Hamidi saying that it would be best for the party to contest under the Barisan Nasional banner, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad said today.

“Even the Umno Supreme Council did not make any such declaration. Therefore, their official stand remains. Don’t try to divide us,” he was quoted as saying in news reports today.

Idris said there shouldn’t be any assumptions made over seat negotiations among Umno, PAS and Bersatu.

Zahid had previously out rightly rejected working with Bersatu in the Malacca polls but has remained vague on working with PAS, which is in the Perikatan Nasional pact with the splinter Malay party.

He had, however, said the Muafakat Nasional alliance may not materialise at the state elections as it has not been registered, adding that it may be better for Umno to contest under the Barisan Nasional banner.

Idris, who is also the religious affairs minister, said PAS will ensure that the state will not fall to Pakatan Harapan again.

On October 4, four Malacca assemblymen declared they had lost confidence in Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali, which led to the dissolution of the state assembly and paved the way for the state polls.

Polling has been set for November 20, with nomination day fixed for November 8. Early voting will be held on November 16. – October 19, 2021.