UMNO can make fewer bargains, after PAS refused to deal with the Malay party, Supreme Council member Mohd Razlan Rafii said.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Razlan criticised PAS leaders, who he said not qualified but given ministerial posts regardless, due to political chess.

“Can you imagine a party president who cannot work for his country and yet (the prime minister) had to give him a position?” he said, referring to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

“He was given a position with ministerial status purely because of politics. We needed his support, so we gave him a position.

“Even though he does not do any work, we had to give him a position. This is just one of many examples,” he said.

Razlan also alleged that similar arrangements happened during Pakatan Harapan’s administration, while denying that it took place during the Barisan Nasional era.

“This has never happened in the 60 years (when BN) was in power. We need to put a stop to this.

“That is why BN needs to focus and go solo (without PAS),” Razlan said.

Recently, PAS said it decided not to work with BN in the general election because the coalition was tainted with corruption.

Hadi said Umno was still lax about enforcing Islam and that it was too focused on power, to the point that the party was demanding elections now.

“As the coalition is still tainted, we have decided to stop working with it. We decided to reject those who give and take bribes.

“We will work with Perikatan Nasional (PN) instead, even though it will be tough,” he had said in a sermon in Marang. – October 17, 2022.