Zahid: PAS negotiating seats with Bersatu without Muafakat blessing

PAS' decision to engage in seat negotiation with Bersatu for the 15th general election (GE15) is being done without the "blessing" of Muafakat Nasional, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said this was not agreed to by Muafakat, the political alliance set up by PAS and Umno in September 2019.

"If there is any discussion conducted outside the framework of Muafakat, I consider this was not agreed to in discussions within the pact.

"Talks outside the framework of Muafakat are only known to those involved," he was quoted as saying by Mingguan Malaysia.

Yesterday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said his party is only engaging in seat discussions with Bersatu while negotiations with Umno have temporarily been suspended.

Negotiations with Umno, he said, will continue after Umno clears a decision on its cooperation with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in facing the next polls.

"There are now PAS leaders carrying out (seat allocation talks) with Bersatu. With Umno, there used to be a committee but Umno made changes mid-negotiations.

"As Umno has issues currently, we will talk to Bersatu first," Hadi told reporters after delivering a Friday lecture in Marang, Terengganu.

Hadi also insisted that Muafakat includes Umno, PAS, and Bersatu.

Meanwhile, Zahid reportedly reiterated Umno's stance of only negotiating with any party after the next election, to form the government.

He stressed Umno should be the dominant party in the government after the election as this is important to ensure political stability and economic development.

"Umno and BN are ready to cooperate with any political party after the polls. At that time, any form of cooperation should not be disputed because it is done during post-election.

"The important thing is that Umno should be dominant again together with its allies in BN," Zahid added.