PAS seeks to lead alliance, but Umno Youth says issue hasn't arisen

Umno Youth has downplayed calls by PAS leaders and delegates for the Islamist party to lead any coalition that it may enter into with Umno.

"The issue of leading does not arise as the joint Umno-PAS primary and technical committees are drafting a national consensus charter.

"The issue of who should control whom never arose as both have their respective strengths and weaknesses," Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki told a press conference at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Earlier today, PAS Youth delegate Nasrun Othman said PAS should take the lead in an alliance with Umno and BN component parties. PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin had also expressed a similar sentiment.

Newly elected PAS Ulama chief Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh had also claimed that Umno was prepared to give up its seats to PAS in the next general election, in order to ensure victory over Pakatan Harapan.

However, Asyraf said the Umno-PAS discussions have not reached the stage of seat negotiations.

"We have not reached the stage of discussion about seats as we are only drafting the basic charter which will then be brought to the respective parties," he said.

He added that part of the charter will also be presented at the ongoing PAS muktamar in Kuantan.

On a separate issue, Asyraf said Umno Youth will not involve itself in Pakatan Harapan’s internal conflicts, particularly within PKR following the dissemination of a series of sex videos implicating PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Azmin said the videos were intended to destroy his political career.

There have also been accusations against PKR president Anwar Ibrahim for supposedly being involved in the video’s creation or dissemination, amid souring ties between him and Azmin. Anwar has denied any role in the video.

"Umno's position is clear, we do not want to be linked with any of the camps in the government, be it that of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad or Anwar," Asyraf said. - Mkini