Umno Supreme Council to decide on negotiations with PAS, says Tok Mat

A decision on whether or not Umno will negotiate with PAS in facing the 15th general election (GE15) will be made by the Umno Supreme Council, deputy president Mohamad Hasan said today.

He said the pros and cons of negotiating with PAS would be discussed only if the matter was raised at the Supreme Council meeting slated to take place later this month.

"Umno is not me, Umno is a party. So the party has to decide. My view is not important. What’s important is how the party views it. It will be decided through a discussion involving the party’s Supreme Council," he told reporters when met in Seremban.

Mohamad was responding to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s remarks that PAS would continue to consider Umno and all parties under the umbrella of ummah unity as ta'awun partners (partners in cooperation), especially in building a righteous country blessed by God as decided in the PAS central committee meeting on Sept 11.

Mohamad also reiterated that Barisan Nasional (BN) had so far decided to go solo in GE15, but had yet to discuss potential candidates and seat allocations.

"We have not looked into that area (candidates and seats). Preparedness is the most important factor that will decide whether we win or lose the election. There’s no use talking about candidates if we have not prepared the (election) machinery," he added.