BERSATU prefers to work with PAS over Umno as the Islamist party gives the Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact fewer problems, observers said as Umno looks set to end its relationship with the two parties.

They told The Malaysian Insight that the signs are clear of a break-up after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the press that the Malay nationalist party will contest all seats in the next general election.

Iman Research programme director Badrul Hisham Ismail opined that there is no point for PN, especially Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also PN chairman, to try and negotiate with Umno following Zahid’s media statement.

“Zahid has made it clear that Umno will contest all seats, especially those that Umno won but later went to Bersatu due to defections. There is no point for Muhyiddin to try to discuss with Umno,” he said.

“However, I still think negotiations (between Umno and PN) may take place after the election. That can happen, but as for now, Umno will go on its own.”

Independent observer Sayuti Omar said Umno is confident of facing the 15th general election (GE15) on its own under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner.

At the same time, he said, Muhyiddin, too, is trying to show that PN will be able to deliver without Umno in GE15.

“Deep down, Umno knows that it can go alone in the election, and Muhyiddin is trying to show that he does not need Umno to win,” he said.

“Having PAS is a better option for PN. Bersatu only needs to give away seats on the east coast to PAS. However, if it were to work with Umno, Bersatu would have to give up more seats.”

On Thursday, Muhyiddin said PN will start seat talks for GE15 next week, involving PN members Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Sabah Progressive Party.

He said PN is not interested in what other parties, including Umno, are planning to do for GE15.

Sayuti, who is an author, said Muhyiddin appears not to be afraid of losing Umno’s support.

“It is not like he will be toppled if he does not go to Umno. He no longer needs them. PAS gives him better chances, and this is his time to ‘jual mahal’,” he said.

Since the formation of PN last year, Umno has not had an easy relationship with Bersatu.

Umno’s withdrawal of support for Muhyiddin prompted his resignation. He was replaced by Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

‘Bersatu-PAS more popular’

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said PAS is a better platform than Umno to help PN, especially Bersatu, in the election.

He said Bersatu does not want to waste time negotiating with Umno because Muhyiddin is no longer the prime minister.

“Maybe if Muhyiddin was the prime minister, he may need Umno to strengthen the coalition, but since he is not, he wants to arrange his strategy much earlier,” he said.

“PAS can help Bersatu to spread its wings and PAS will get more perks in PN. In my study, I found out that Malays prefer Bersatu and PAS to Bersatu and Umno.”

All three analysts also said Umno’s cooperation with PAS in Muafakat Nasional (MN) has already ended.

Zahid hinted on Thursday that the pact between Umno and PAS is dead.

He was asked in an interview how he expected MN to fare in GE15. He grinned and retorted: “Does MN still exist?”

Since the signing of the MN agreement on September 14, 2019, political cooperation between the partners has stalled with PAS leaning more towards its PN pact with Bersatu.

Zahid said it is better for the party “to go solo” under the BN flag in GE15.

Universiti Malaya’s Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi branded PAS as being selfish for wanting Umno to stay in PN despite knowing the bad blood between Bersatu and Umno.

“They are selfish because they want the support from both Umno and Bersatu,” he said.

“MN is as good as dead and it is understandable why Bersatu chose to ditch Umno in seat negotiation.” – October 2, 2021.