UMNO grassroots leaders want PAS to decide if it wants to work with Muafakat Nasional (MN) or Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the 15th general election (GE15).

They told The Malaysian Insight that a decision will help them determine whether they should work with PAS, as suggested by Selangor Umno.

The state chapter has asked the central leadership to allow it to work with the Islamist party in the state, even if an agreement cannot be reached under MN.

Chapter chairman Noh Omar said Umno and PAS share a good relationship in Selangor, adding that the cooperation will be able to pull in more Malay votes.

MN was formed in September 2019, following Barisan Nasional’s defeat in GE14 a year before.

Umno and PAS then joined the PN government led by Bersatu under Muhyiddin Yassin last year.

But Umno rejected Muhyiddin’s legitimacy, which ultimately led to vice president Ismail Sabri Yaakob being appointed the ninth prime minister in August. Muhyiddin lost majority support in Parliament.

Pokok Sena Umno chief Said Ali Syed Rastan said PAS has to decide if it wants to be with the oldest Malay party in the country or the latter’s splinter party Bersatu.

However, he agreed that MN cooperation may be difficult in some states, such as Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan, due to seat distribution issues.

“It depends on PAS’ decision; whether it wants to be with MN or PN in GE15.”

Seat distribution is still negotiable if there is a preliminary agreement, he added.

“There may be clashes, but the issue can be resolved if there is an agreement. Kedah Umno, via MN, has had discussions on seat distribution with PAS. That is why we say it is up to PAS.”

Said Ali said he hopes Umno Kedah will also be given autonomy to continue cooperation with PAS in the state.

Kedah Umno leaders rejected PAS’ claim that the former has violated the MN charter and does not want to support the unification of Malay parties.

Said Ali said Umno is open to working with any party, including Bersatu, after the next general election.

“We are still open in our MN chapter and can work with other parties, but after GE15,” he said, adding that this is because any new cooperation before the polls will result in a seat distribution issue.

“It is not possible for Umno – the largest party in the country, with three million members – to share seats with a party that has only hundreds of thousands of members,” he said, referring to Bersatu.

Kluang Umno chief Md Jais Sardy said PAS leaders at the state and national levels should decide on MN.

So far, Johor Umno has not made any final decision to reject cooperation with the Islamist party, he added.

“The PAS chapter follows its central leadership in Johor. But (Johor) Umno has not rejected PAS, unlike in Terengganu, which does not want to cooperate.

“So, it is up to the state PAS chapter.”

On grassroots sentiments regarding the cooperation, he said Umno members want Barisan Nasional to contest solo.

“People want Umno to return after what happened before, where the menteri besar was changed twice. When Umno rules, government administration runs more smoothly.”

Political analyst Associate Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Selangor Umno’s decision proves that Umno is an opportunist, as each move it makes is for the sake of its political interest and survival.

Umno is aware that only a cooperation with PAS will enable the former to win Selangor in GE15, said the Universiti Malaya senior lecturer.

“When Umno is in a position and sees its interests served, it will ask for PAS’ cooperation.

“Without PAS, Umno will find it hard to win in Selangor, although the latter has strong election machinery. Only with PAS, will Umno win.”

However, he added, the scenario is not the same in other states, where Umno feels that it is stronger to go at it alone.

“For example, Pahang Umno feels it is strong and if it works together (with PAS), it will have to give some seats to the Islamist party. Of course, the situation will be difficult.”

Awang Azman said as Umno is an opportunist party, it does not mind sharing seats as long as it can win in Selangor.

In the 56-seat state assembly, PKR has 19, DAP (15), Amanah (6), Bersatu (6), Umno (5), Pejuang (3), PAS (1) and independent (1).

Pakatan Harapan is the ruling coalition in Selangor. – December 19, 2021.