UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hinted the 15th general election could see his party working in partnership with PAS.

While sharing a stage with PAS on the Seri-Setia by-election campaign trail,  Zahid said the two biggest Malay-Muslim parties had been at war for too long, even though they shared a similar agenda.

Umno is sitting out the by-election to avoid splitting the vote for the opposition, in reciprocation for PAS stepping aside for the party to enjoy a straight fight against Pakatan Harapan in the Sg Kandis by-election.

“Let us put aside our differences. Enough. Allah had tested us for six decades,” Zahid said, yesterday night.

“We will make a new history.”

The opposition leader admitted that it would be difficult, however, for the two party leaderships to convince the grassroots of the need for such a partnership.

Yet he was certain, he said, that a partnership between the two parties would enable PAS to win more states and to capture Putrajaya with Barisan Nasional. 

“I know it is not easy to tell grassroots members from PAS and Umno to sit under one roof like this. 

“(But just think) If PAS as a solo party in GE14 managed to retain Kelantan and win Terengganu, imagine how many more states PAS would capture if it cooperated with Umno in GE15. 

“Together, we will capture Putrajaya again.”

Should such a time come to pass, Zahid stressed that component parties which had remained loyal to BN would not be forgotten.

“We will not sideline other friends. 

“Although there are only five parties left in BN… but we do not need many friends. Let our friends be few as long as these friends are loyal, are willing to remain with us through rain and shine.”

He said there was no need for Umno and PAS to rush into a pact as they were already friends.  

“If there is to be a new partnership, there is no need to discuss it now; PAS is Umno and BN’s loyal friend, and that is enough to make it a reality.”

Earlier today, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri said Umno would be present at the PAS central muktamar, or convention, in Terengganu later this month, and the Islamist party could also attend Umno’s general assembly, also to be held this month. –  September 7, 2018.