Umno to lose more seats in GE15 by going solo, says PAS veep

 

Umno is expected to lose more seats if the party goes solo in the 15th general election, according to PAS vice-president Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

Amar (above) said he personally believes the predicted loss is based on Umno's previous showing in the last general election.

"I expect in the current scenario for Umno to lose even more seats if it went ahead and contested solo.

"That is why we want the three parties together. We resolve any outstanding issues to the best of our abilities," he said.

In GE14, Umno contested 121 parliamentary seats and won only 55, in the face of an unprecedented assault from Bersatu which was then part of Pakatan Harapan, under the leadership of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In the Peninsula, Umno also faced multi-cornered fights with Bersatu and PAS in 47 parliamentary seats.

"We take as a benchmark the previous election where there was a rejection against the Umno leadership.

"That (rejected) leadership is still the same leadership that exists today," Amar said. 

He was speaking at a press conference after a pre-launch of the Tok Uban Lake Floating Solar Project in Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

The Kelantan deputy menteri besar said this when asked for comments on Umno's decision to sever ties with Bersatu for GE15.

Contrary to the decision endorsed by the delegates at Umno's recent annual general assembly, Amar said he believed a majority of Umno leaders and grassroots members would prefer the party to remain with PAS and Bersatu.

"The majority wants to remain as the three parties, and we (PAS) hope their voices can change the situation. I see only a small group who disagrees.

"Umno needs to be reorganised. If they just left (alone), my view is that they won't go far," he said, adding that PAS is continuing its efforts to repair ties between Umno and Bersatu.

On PAS' status in Perikatan Nasional, Amar reaffirmed his party's commitment to be with Bersatu, but also to maintain ties with Umno through its Muafakat Nasional pact.

"Our relationship with Umno still continues through Muafakat. Our commitment - we want both to cooperate with Umno and Bersatu.

"Because we see there is a political need. In our surveys, we found that no party can stand on their own," he said.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob

Similarly, Kelantan PAS commissioner Ahmad Yakob said the party will continue with attempts to play a peacemaker role, as previously stated by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

"We follow the stand taken by our president. We will continue to broker peace," said the Kelantan menteri besar at a press conference after launching national broadcaster RTM's 75th-anniversary celebrations in Kota Bharu.

Ahmad, who is also PAS deputy spiritual adviser, said it is important at this juncture for all parties to rebuild the nation.

"This is for benefit of the ummah, for unity, cooperation and tolerance, particularly in the current times of a pandemic.

"We should prioritise solving the Covid-19 problem," he said.

Several analysts recently said Umno stands to benefit from its divorce with Bersatu, opening more room to emerge as a dominant party in Parliament and later engage in post-election negotiations to form the government. - Mkini