Umno and PAS' seat-sharing deal in Selangor is no longer valid because the latter is now part of Perikatan Nasional (PN), said Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar.
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, Noh said the future of the pact in the state would have to depend on the decision of the party's top leadership.
"There was a pact (under) Muafakat Nasional. Now that PAS is with PN, that formula is no longer applicable.
"Everything depends on (the party's top) leadership now. If Muafakat no longer exists, we cannot use that formula. If (the leadership) wants us to go solo, we will abide by the decision," he added.
Noh's current stand on the pact with PAS was a major climbdown from statements he made up until early May.
Previously, he had repeatedly stated that Umno and PAS should not face each other in Selangor in order to increase BN's chances of returning to the helm in the country's wealthiest state.
BN has been out of power in Selangor for three consecutive terms.
According to Utusan Malaysia, the Selangor Muafakat formula dictated that Umno and PAS would be able to claim rights to seats where they were incumbents, including seats held by those who defected.
As for seats held by Pakatan Harapan, the agreement between Umno and PAS was that their 2018 electoral performance would determine which party would be allowed to field candidates.
Noh said critics were wrong to claim that Selangor Umno was going against the party's top brass, who are less inclined to work with PAS.
"No one is swimming against the current... In Selangor, (Umno and PAS) are close. We are like friends.
"A final decision will be made by the top leadership. However, as friends, we (in Selangor try to) cooperate. What's wrong with that?
"They can visit us during Hari Raya or visit us when we hold a function," he added. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.