PAS is open to discussions at the national level on extending the Perikatan Nasional-Barisan Nasional cooperation, including replicating the model used in the Negri Sembilan election in Melaka and at the federal level.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Ustaz Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the cooperation in Negri Sembilan had produced positive results, prompting the party’s willingness to discuss its future direction.
“We saw the outcome of the cooperation in Negri Sembilan as very good, with strong achievements.
“At the national level, we will decide on the future of the cooperation only after discussions, taking into account public sentiment in support of its continuation.”
“If possible, it should not only be limited to Negri Sembilan, but the model can also be brought to Melaka and even the federal level,” he told reporters today.
He said this when asked to comment on whether the cooperation between PN and BN would continue in the Melaka election.
Ustaz Tuan Ibrahim said the decision by both parties not to contest against each other in Negri Sembilan sent a clear message to voters.
He said the next challenge was to ensure the party machinery fully understood the leadership’s decision before working together to implement the strategy.
“Initially, some were unhappy as they had already prepared to contest. They had worked for five years, but once the party issued its directive, I saw the response was very positive,” he said.
He cited Serting as an example, where Umno machinery supported Pas despite Umno not fielding a candidate, while Pas machinery similarly helped Umno candidates in other areas.
Ustaz Tuan Ibrahim said cooperation between PN and BN machinery in Negri Sembilan went smoothly, including on polling day, with both sides carrying out their roles to achieve the agreed objective.
He added that the experience could be applied in other states, particularly Melaka.
Asked whether initial discussions had been held with Umno on the Melaka election, Tuan Ibrahim said none had taken place as the state assembly had yet to be dissolved.
“We are not certain when the Melaka state assembly will be dissolved. For now, everyone is focusing on their respective work, and the decision will depend on the dissolution,” he said.
