Kedah Umno will meet state PAS leaders soon to discuss possible cooperation ahead of the 16th general election (GE16), said its chief Mahdzir Khalid.
Mahdzir said the meeting would serve as a prelude to further discussions on the matter, Berita Harian reported.
Mahdzir to meet Sanusi first
However, Mahdzir said he would first meet Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor before holding more detailed discussions with the state PAS leadership.
“Maybe I’ll meet the menteri besar first, then the PAS commissioner. We’re discussing collaboration. There are lots to focus on, and we’ll be proceeding in stages, but we must first start with a meeting,” he was quoted as saying.
Umno opens door to cooperation talks
The Umno Supreme Council agreed last night that its state leaderships could negotiate with political parties interested in working with the party in the coming elections.
Its secretary-general, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said such negotiations must be based on sincerity and trust, rather than threats or intimidation.
BN-PN cooperation draws attention
The development comes as Umno-PAS ties draw renewed attention following political cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Negeri Sembilan state election earlier this month.
The informal electoral understanding saw BN and PN win 25 of the 36 seats in the state assembly.
The outcome also prompted calls for the cooperation to be extended to GE16 and the Melaka election, which is expected to be held before the end of the year.
