The Malaysian Insight

ASYRAF Wajdi Dusuki’s statement that talks on seats would no longer be between Umno and PAS has led to a misunderstanding, said Annuar Musa

The Umno supreme council member said Umno was still consulting the Islamist party on where they would contest in the next polls.

“Consultation with PAS is going smoothly but the next level is at the coalition phase with Perikatan Nasional,” said the BN secretary-general during a programme at Taman Segar, in Cheras this morning.

The Barisan Nasional secretary general said Asyraf Wajdi, the Umno Youth leader, meant that Umno and PAS are working on formal consultations.

“Same goes to Umno like how we say in Barisan Nasional, we need to have a framework with MIC, MCA and PBRS first only then we stand under BN,” he said.

On Friday, Asyraf Wajdi said Umno will no longer negotiate with PAS for the distribution of seats in the 15th general election (GE15) and will instead hold such talks through Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

He said this was because the Islamic party, which formed the Muafakat Nasional pact with Umno in September 2019, has now joined PN. 

“The cooperation between Umno and BN with PN for GE15 will depend on cooperation on the distribution of seats.

“This means the distribution of seats is no longer based on Umno’s discussions with PAS, but BN with PN because PAS has officially joined PN as its component party,” he said in a Facebook post.

Asyraf Wajdi said Umno and the BN supreme council will support the PN government until GE15 and that Umno would not join PN as one of its component parties.

“So far, PN consists of Bersatu, PAS, Sabah Star and Sabah Progressive Party. 

“The PN government, meanwhile, is established on the understanding of 12 political parties, including Umno and BN component parties namely MCA, MIC, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak,” he said. 

As for the setting up of the PN presidential council, Asyraf Wajdi said it had been proposed by Umno during the formation of the PN government in March, but was only implemented now.

“The purpose (of the presidential council) is to ensure any important policies of the country are discussed in advance with partners who consist of political parties that have agreed to form this government.”

The PN presidential council has a secretariat comprising party leaders in PN. – December 20, 2020.