PAS delegates have endorsed a motion to work with Umno officially, and with it paving the way for both Malay-based parties to forge a new pact ahead of the 15th general election.

The Islamist party’s delegates endorsed the motion to politically link up with Umno as opposed to its current ad hoc arrangement, or taawun siyasi as it was termed.

The move also opened up the possibility of Umno and PAS sharing power in states both parties control.

Currently, Umno controls the Perlis and Pahang governments while PAS holds power in Kelantan and Terengganu.

The motion to forge the new deal was tabled at the party’s 65th muktamar (congress) in Kuantan, Pahang today.

In tabling the motion, Dewan Ulama delegate Asri Mohd Daud told party delegates the motion had to be endorsed by them as PAS had a pact with DAP previously when they were together in Pakatan Rakyat.

“We are now in the opposition. Umno was a lynchpin party in government (at the time) and fights for Islam.

“We once allied with DAP, so it is not wrong to strike up a partnership with Umno and non-governmental groups who can accept our policy and condition,” he told delegates.

Both parties had worked together in a series of by-elections which saw Umno capture the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat and two state seats Semenyih in Selangor and Rantau, Negri Sembilan.

The united Malay vote bank was credited for the victories in the three by-elections. – June 22, 2019.