Melaka polls: Umno maintains cooperation with PAS, says Ahmad Maslan

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will maintain its cooperation with PAS under the Muafakat Nasional charter in the upcoming Melaka state elections on Nov 20, said party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (pic).

However, Ahmad said the logo that PAS will contest under in the upcoming polls has yet to be decided.

“The party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, his deputy, and Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) will negotiate the matter,” said Ahmad in a press conference that was aired on Facebook on Thursday (Oct 28) night.

Ahmad, who read out a statement during the press conference, also said that party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has been nominated as the director for the Melaka state elections.

“It is based on the stand taken by the Muafakat Nasional committee on Oct 19 and Nov 18.

“This is to avoid internal clashes and at the same time, maintain the use of own party logos in the state elections.”

Ahmad also said the Umno supreme council has given Ismail Sabri the mandate as Prime Minister to finalise any decisions in regards to the Melaka state elections.

In the previous 14th General Election in 2018, PAS contested 24 out of 28 seats in the Melaka state assembly but lost all.

Meanwhile, Ahmad called for a relaxation in standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the National Security Council (NSC) and the Health Ministry when campaigns begin for the Melaka state elections on Nov 8.

Ahmad was hoping for SOPs in the previous Tasik Chini by-election on July 4 and Slim by-election on Aug 29, to be implemented once campaigns for the Melaka state election begins on Nov 8 (Monday).

“No one was vaccinated during the two by-elections and now 95% of adults were fully vaccinated.”

Meanwhile, Ahmad said Umno will pay the RM10,000 fine it was given for an election machinery launch at WTC on Oct 27.

Ahmad said the BN Melaka election machinery launch at World Trade Centre (WTC) in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 27 was held in two separate halls, in order to abide by Covid-19 SOPs.

“Maybe adherence isn’t 100% if we can control movements outside (WTC). So, we will pay the compounds but we will appeal for the amount to be lessened,” said Ahmad.

Nominations for the Melaka state elections will take place on Nov 8 while polling day has been set for Nov 20.