MUAFAKAT Nasional (MN) has extended an invitation to Bersatu to join its ranks, confirmed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, hours after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told Bersatu he wanted to link up with Malay-Muslim pact.

“We are now awaiting their reply and I am leaving this to the MN steering committee to study the response and decide on the roles of the three parties,” Zahid said.

“The committee is chaired jointly by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.”

The Umno president said the upcoming Slim by-election on August 29 would be a test of the new co-operation between Bersatu and MN.

He urged Bersatu to show its value by ensuring its supporters turn out for Barisan Nasional (BN).

Zaid said the support that Bersatu gained in the last general election must be extended to BN in the Slim by-election to be held on August 29.

“That will be proof that they are with us,” he was quoted as saying in news reports while launching the BN Youth campaign set-up for the by-election at Trolak Felda.

“I want to see the 6,000 votes that went to Bersatu (in the general election) go to the BN candidate.

“If they can’t attract 6,000 or 8,000 votes, we must ask: what’s the value of political co-operation with them?

“If they want to share, share it in the real sense. We don’t want to see Umno being used as the stepping stone. Please don’t mess with BN and Muafakat Nasional,” he was quoted saying in his speech.

Earlier today, Muhyiddin, as Bersatu president, confirmed widespread speculation by announcing in a video that the party will be joining MN, a loose political alliance forged between Umno and PAS.

The admission also raises questions over the future of the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition, which is yet to be registered.

Umno previously said it would not formally join PN, preferring to remain in MN.

Bersatu’s entry into MN will seal the three Malay parties’ position as the backbone of the government.

PN’s allies are Sarawak’s ruling pact GPS, MCA, MIC and several Sabah parties. – August 15, 2020.