PAS’ talks with Umno went nowhere, says Muhyiddin

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional (PN) said that unofficial talks between PAS and Umno went nowhere following the latter’s decision not to work together with PAS for GE15.

Its chairman Muhyiddin Yassin also said these unofficial talks did not involve any top leaders from both parties.

“PAS also reiterated its stance to strengthen its cooperation with other PN components,” Muhyiddin said in a statement, issued after a meeting last night.

It was recently reported that PAS leaders held talks with Umno leaders to revive Muafakat Nasional, the political pact forged between the two parties in 2019.

Four days ago, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan revealed that talks were held with certain Umno leaders who could persuade the party leadership to revive the pact.

While Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently said it was time for the party to move on without PAS, the Islamic party is adamant on maintaining ties.

The discussions were confirmed by the party’s spiritual leader Hashim Jasin, who said the two parties had held secret talks as PAS wanted to ensure straight fights with Pakatan Harapan in GE15.

He also said that the party was trying to drive home the point that the opposition coalition was the real enemy, not Bersatu. Umno had said it would not work with Bersatu. — Free Malaysia Today