THE outcome of the first by-election since the May 9 elections will set the future direction of cooperation between Umno and PAS, said Amanah’s Khalid Samad. 

The Sg Kandis by-election will also be the first test ground to see the extent of Umno-PAS cooperation to fight Pakatan Harapan, that is made up of PKR, Bersatu, Amanah and DAP, said Khalid. 

“If they can win (Sg Kandis) because Malay voters, who make up 70% of the constituents, are influenced by Lokman Noor Adam’s campaign that incites nationalism and racism… this alliance will be able to challenge PH in the future. 

“The relationship between PAS and Umno will be strengthened,” the party’s communications director said at a ceramah in Bandar Putera yesterday, campaigning for PKR’s Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni. 

He was responding to PAS leaders who openly declared support for Umno firebrand Lokman in the by-election. 

In the 14th general election, Malay votes were evenly split three ways among Barisan Nasional, PKR and PAS. 

Nearly 35% to 40% of Malays voted BN, another 30%-33% supported PAS, and the remaining 25%-30% backed PH, according to data by pollster Merdeka Centre. 

Its data showed that although BN and PAS captured the bulk of Malay votes, at 70%-75%, most of the Malays in the more prosperous west coast states of Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan supported PH, allowing the then opposition grouping to capture these states.

Khalid, who is also Federal Territories minister, said Umno and PAS are using the same modus operandi of playing race and religion cards in attacking the PH government.

One of the main accusations against PH was non-Malays were the dominant voice in the coalition and they would take over the country, he said.

“Everyone understands that Malaysia is a Malay-Muslim majority country and what we want is a coalition government between Malay-Muslims and non-Muslims because we are all Malaysians and we will rule this country fairly.

“Their argument is Malays will be sidelined under the PH government, non-Malays will rule (the country). They are using racial issues to pit Malays and non-Malays against each other.”

He added that the purpose of using the narratives was meant to instil fear among the Malays.

“We have to show them that racial issues are no longer relevant because what’s important for us is the issue of justice, cost of living, corruption, misappropriation and abuse of power.

“All this while they deny (the cooperation) but now, it is clear that it’s a cooperation. We are going up against PAS-Umno alliance.”

He, however, said PAS members who did not support the new development could express their frustration by voting against BN. 

“If they want to end the alliance of Umno and PAS, they shouldn’t support the Umno candidate supported by PAS in the Sg Kandis by-election,” he said. 

The by-election was called following the death of assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei on July 2.

In GE14, Shuhaimi polled 23,998 votes against BN’s Kamaruzzaman Johari (11,518) and PAS’ Yusof Abdullah (7,573). PRM’s Hanafiah Husin mustered only 76 votes out of 50,800.  

Zawawi (PKR) is in a three-way fight against Lokman (BN) and K. Murthy (independent) for the state seat. Polling is on Saturday. – July 30, 2018.