Umno refuses to be PAS' 'divorcee' - party veep

 

Umno does not want to be in a relationship with PAS, a party whose stance and decisions can change "with the season", according to Umno's vice-president Khaled Nordin.

The former Johor menteri besar said his party also refuses to be a PAS "divorcee" given the latter's record of not staying in a relationship.

"Umno does not want to be a 'divorcee' of PAS when they can at any time 'divorce' Umno.

"So now, serves Bersatu right. There is the possibility that PAS can 'divorce' them," said Khaled, as quoted by Free Malaysia Today.

PAS is part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which is led by Bersatu.

Ahead of the Johor state election, Khaled said Umno refuses to negotiate with PAS amid uncertainties over the party's stance.

He said, Umno and PAS, which previously supported the Muafakat Nasional political pact, should not face off against each other in the polls.

"Who is causing difficulties (for PAS-Umno) unity?" Khaled asked.

His remarks followed PAS' decision yesterday to abandon its Muafakat pact with Umno and face the Johor elections together with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional.

The decision was reached following a national-level meeting led by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in Kuala Lumpur.

PAS and Bersatu also issued a reminder to the federal government that their support of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is subject to conditions.

"That PAS and Bersatu's support for the federal government is conditional must be respected and negotiated based on principles of integrity, anti-corruption, and benevolence," Muhyiddin had said.

Meanwhile, Khaled also reminded PAS of its past failed relationships, urging the party to make the right decision.

"In Malacca they chose PN, in Sarawak, they contested against GPS.

"And then in Johor, they said they want BN... and after that?" Khalid asked.

Prior to Muhyiddin and Hadi's announcement, Johor PAS commissioner Abdullah Husin last Monday reportedly said the state leaders were still hoping to meet with their Umno counterparts in the Muafakat spirit. - Mkini