Bersatu should be worried sick over Umno-PAS talks, Fahmi says

 

Bersatu should be “worried sick” about rumoured talks between Umno and PAS potentially cooperating in the next general election, said government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil.

Speaking in a press conference today, Fahmi, who is also PKR information chief, said Bersatu knows and understands that they are a liability to PAS and Perikatan Nasional.

“What we do know now is that Umno and BN’s top leadership have stated that there were no meetings done between the two parties.

“I believe whatever it is, Bersatu should be worried sick as many (in PAS) are hoping that one of their own will contest in Nenggiri,” he said during a post-cabinet press conference held at the Communications Ministry in Putrajaya.

Fahmi said this in response to a media query on whether Pakatan Harapan is concerned or worried about the rumours.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari

On Monday (July 22), PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari claimed that there were talks about both parties cooperating in the next national polls.

Fadhli alleged that several unofficial meetings involving the main leaders of both parties had taken place which among others, touched on uniting the Malay vote.

He said Umno leaders expressed regret about the decision to be part of the coalition government.

No official meetings

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has since shot down the rumour, saying no official meetings or discussions between the parties to form an electoral pact have taken place.

However, Zahid did not rule out that certain quarters could have held meetings in their personal capacities.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

“They (PAS) did not meet me. Even if there were (meetings between Umno and PAS leaders), these were done in (their) personal capacities, not officially,” he said yesterday.

At the Kuala Kangsar Umno annual general meeting on July 8, Zahid reiterated that he would not work with PAS as long as Abdul Hadi Awang is at the helm.

Based on Umno’s experience with PAS in Muafakat Nasional, he accused the Islamist party president of not adhering to the joint agreements. - Mkini