Umno-PAS have worked out which seats to give the other in GE15

Foes turned allies, Umno and PAS, have ironed out most of the details on how to divide seats to contest in the next general election.

According to sources, this formula will be included in the cooperation charter to be signed between both parties on Sept 14.

They said that aside from traditional seats, Umno will contest those won by Bersatu, while PAS will go after Amanah seats.

"However, Umno and PAS will also evaluate their traditional seats. 

"If it is a traditional PAS seat but Umno is stronger there, then Umno will contest, and vice-versa," one source told Malaysiakini.

This formula will also be used to divvy up the 21 parliamentary seats where Umno and PAS votes combined were more than those obtained by Pakatan Harapan in last year's general election.

These include the Jerlun and Tambun seats held by Mukhriz Mahathir and Ahmad Faizal Azumu, the menteris besar of Kedah and Perak.

During the May 9 election last year, Umno and PAS were at opposite ends, with the vote split contributing in part to Harapan capturing Putrajaya.

Following their electoral loss, the two parties forged an alliance which led to a hattrick of by-election victories in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih, and Rantau.

The sources said Umno and PAS have both learnt their lesson and will not enter three-cornered bouts, including with BN component parties.

At present, Umno and BN have 40 MPs, including Cameron Highlands' Ramli Mohd Nor, who contested the seat as a BN-friendly independent. PAS has 18. - Mkini