Mahdzir wants to meet Sanusi first for Umno-PAS cooperation in Kedah

 The Kedah Umno chief says meeting the menteri besar will be the prelude to further talks with PAS.

Mahdzir Khalid (left) said he will meet Sanusi Nor before holding more detailed talks with the Kedah PAS leadership.

PETALING JAYA:

Kedah Umno will meet with PAS state leaders soon to discuss possible cooperation ahead of the 16th general election, says its chief, Mahdzir Khalid.

Mahdzir said the meeting would be the prelude to further discussions on the matter, Berita Harian reported.

However, he said he would first need to meet Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor before holding more detailed talks with the state PAS leadership.

“Maybe I’ll meet the menteri besar first, then the PAS commissioner. We’re discussing collaboration. (There are) lots to focus on, and we’ll be proceeding in stages, but we must first start with a meeting,” he was quoted as saying.

The Umno Supreme Council last night agreed that its state leaderships could negotiate with political parties interested in working with the party in the coming elections.

Its secretary-general, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said such negotiations must be based on sincerity and trust, rather than threats or intimidation.

The development comes as Umno-PAS ties draw renewed attention following political cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional in the Negeri Sembilan state election earlier this month.

The informal electoral understanding saw BN and PN win 25 seats in the 36-member state assembly.

The outcome also prompted calls for the cooperation to be extended to GE16, and the Melaka election, which is expected to be held before the end of the year. - FMT