Bersatu, PAS vow closer ties, reject protests by Umno leaders

Bersatu and PAS today vowed to forge close cooperation to strengthen the Perikatan Nasional (PN) bloc following a meeting between their presidents yesterday.

A joint statement by the two parties said Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and his PAS counterpart had also agreed to the formation of a consultation committee to formulate PN’s strategies at the impending general election, as well as the distribution of seats between partners and allies.

The statement also said that the parties rejected attempts to split PN, believed to be a reference to recent calls by several senior Umno leaders for PAS to abandon the coalition, as well as any plans to form a coalition with Pakatan Harapan in the aftermath of the polls.

“Bersatu and PAS are firm in rejecting any form of ‘new alignment’ to form the government after the 15th general election, especially with those involving PH and its allies.

“Bersatu and PAS remain committed to strengthening the unity of the Muslim community as well as of the multiracial society, and are ready to work with any party that supports the concept while rejecting any attempt to disrupt the existing unity, and attempts to undermine the PN government,” the statement added.

The Umno general assembly last weekend saw its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stepping up his attacks on Muhyiddin and Bersatu, with delegates taking turns to speak in support of a motion to cut ties with the party.

Zahid and former prime minister Najib Razak have emerged as the most vocal critics of the PN government despite their party members being part of the Cabinet.