Political cooperation talks between Pas and Umno for the Melaka election are now in the final stage, with the two parties reaching 90 per cent agreement.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said negotiations through the joint committee of both parties had shown positive progress.
He said the political understanding reached was based on the principle of not contesting seats held by incumbent winners, with discussions instead focused on state seats that neither party had won.
“We have held negotiations with Umno.
“It can be said that they are almost 90 per cent complete, but the mandate of this negotiating committee needs to be brought to our respective parties for confirmation.
“So far, our party has accepted several matters that were negotiated, but we have yet to hold a meeting to confirm them. Overall, the move towards establishing this understanding is very good,” he said.
He said this when met by the media after a Pas Syura Council meeting chaired by Pas spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin at the Perlis Pas Complex here today.
Tuan Ibrahim said the main focus today was to finalise approval of the party’s list of candidates for the Melaka polls.
He said the Syura Council had approved all the lists, comprising two to three potential candidates for each state seat, submitted by the Melaka Pas Liaison Body after reviewing their backgrounds.
He said Pas expected to contest between six and 10 state seats.
“We acknowledge that Umno won big in the previous election in Melaka. However, there are still several seats that have not been won by BN or Perikatan Nasional, so we are considering those seats for Pas to contest.
“An agreement with Umno and our component partners is very important to strengthen the machinery and curb DAP’s advance.
“If we reach a proper agreement, we can win the seats held by DAP, as happened in Negri Sembilan previously,” he said.
The 28-seat Melaka state assembly was dissolved yesterday, paving the way for the election.
In the 15th Melaka election on Nov 20, 2021, BN formed the state government after winning 21 of the 28 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won five and Perikatan Nasional two.NST
