ANN/CNA – Barisan Nasional (BN), the coalition led by United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), has decided to go solo in the upcoming Malaysian 15th general election (GE15).
UMNO president and BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday that this came after Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) decision to strengthen its collaboration with Perikatan Nasional (PN) for the polls.
“With that, UMNO together with BN will go solo by maintaining the party’s image that has always focussed on moderation and that can restore stability and prosperity for the people of various races and religions in this country,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
While PAS is part of the PN coalition led by Muhyiddin Yassin’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), the extremist party also has a Muafakat Nasional (MN) political pact with UMNO.
BN and PN formed the ruling government prior to the dissolution of parliament last week, but they will enter GE15 as opponents.
In early October, UMNO said it would be open to negotiating a political partnership with PAS if the latter meets three conditions, namely PAS must leave PN, sever political ties with Bersatu and officially declare that PAS had separated from PN and Bersatu.
Ahmad Zahid said on Thursday that he had expected PAS’ decision.
“The fact is, UMNO has never closed the door on sincere and honest efforts to unite the Muslim community,” he said.
Yesterday, however, PAS Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan told reporters that it is still open to forming coalitions with any other political parties in the lead up to GE15.
According to Bernama, he rejected the suggestion that PAS is ditching the MN pact with UMNO when it decided to strengthen cooperation within PN.
“The statement on strengthening ties with PN (was made) because PAS is within the PN coalition… but were there any statements on us severing ties with MN? Yes or no?” he was quoted as saying.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim reportedly said on Thursday that the opposition coalition was open to talks on cooperation with PN’s Muhyiddin as well as former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.
When asked if he would consider working with Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir, Anwar said that PH would align itself with those who are against corruption and abuse of power.
“Whoever agrees, they can come and talk to us,” he said at a press conference at Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) headquarters.
“The door is wide open.”
Chairman of PH component party Democratic Action Party (DAP) Lim Guan Eng subsequently clarified that Anwar was misquoted and that PH will not be cooperating with Muhyiddin.
