Sources: PAS-Umno clash inevitable in 27 parliamentary seats

 

PAS is set to clash with Umno in at least 27 parliamentary seats - most of which are in Kelantan and Terengganu, in the 15th general election (GE15).

However, sources say that the Islamist party is at risk of losing many of the seats, as they were won in the 14th general election (GE14) by a slim majority, and the seats were previously held by Umno or BN.

"These include several traditional Umno seats, which PAS won in a three-cornered fight in GE14.

"PAS does not want to lose the seats to Pakatan Harapan if it clashes with Umno. Umno, meanwhile, thinks that the party stands a chance to seize back the seats from PAS," a PAS source told Malaysiakini.

The clash between PAS and Umno at the 27 seats looks inevitable after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said on Thursday that the party will strengthen cooperation within Perikatan Nasional (PN) to face the looming general election.

Malaysiakini last month reported that PAS is aiming to get at least 30 winnable parliament seats if it contests GE15 as part of PN, according to a party source.

According to a PAS source, initial negotiations showed that the party will get at least 25 of those seats - mostly pitting it against Umno, while the remaining five seats will pit PAS against its PN ally Bersatu.

The 27 parliamentary seats that are set to witness the PAS-Umno clash include Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, and Kota Bharu in Kelantan, as well as Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus in Terengganu. Also on the list are Pendang in Kedah, Arau in Perlis, Jerantut in Pahang, as well as Bagan Serai and Bukit Gantang in Perak.

"For example, Umno won the Bukit Gantang seat in GE14 before its representative defected to Bersatu.

"The seat was previously held by PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad. PAS would certainly want the seat back, and Umno will defend its traditional seat," a source from Umno told Malaysiakini. - Mkini