Umno in Kelantan is expected to field candidates in all parliamentary seats contested by Bersatu in the next general election.
However, Kelantan Umno liaison chief Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob said the party will not contest in PAS seats and will request PAS not to enter its territory.
This came after 12 out of 14 divisions in Kelantan have pledged not to cooperate with Bersatu in the 15th general election.
"We can continue to cooperate with PAS, but Umno has rejected Bersatu. It means that if these seats are contested by Umno, then there is no need for PAS to contest.
“We will fight Bersatu," Jazlan told the media at Umno's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur after a special meeting with divisional chiefs today.
"What is wrong with fighting as Kelantan Umno has been fighting for decades. No problem," he said when asked about the relationship between Umno and PAS after the demand by Umno grassroots for the party not to work with Bersatu.
Jazlan said Kelantan Umno only requested that the party reviews its cooperation with PAS, not sever ties with the Islamic party.
"If we break up with Bersatu and PAS still wants Bersatu, then it is indirectly rejecting us, or vice versa," added the Machang MP.
In the 2018 general election, PAS won nine parliamentary seats and 37 state seats, while Umno won five parliamentary seats and eight state seats.
Umno later lost two parliamentary seats after its lawmakers left the party for Bersatu.
On another development, PAS deputy spiritual leader Ahmad Yakob said PAS will not be discouraged or offended by Umno's move to review Umno-PAS ties.
PAS will let the grassroots decide and it will accept any decision made by the party members, he added.
"We are actually grateful after Pakatan Harapan took over for 22 months, we could see a significant impact on Malays and the status of Islam, a change (of government) is a blessing to us.
"(We) will continue the struggle to unite the Muslims and non-Muslims with Umno," Ahmad, who is also the Kelantan menteri besar, told a press conference in Kota Bharu today.
Meanwhile, Kelantan PAS secretary Che Abdullah Mat Nawi said the party has constantly tried to reduce the political heat to ensure the Perikatan Nasional government is stable.
"Regardless of these statements, PAS will continue to unite the Malay-Islam leaders. This is indeed our work," he said. - Mkini
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