Umno unlikely to work with PAS, says Puad

PETALING JAYA: Umno is unlikely to join forces with PAS for the 15th General Election (GE15), says Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

The Umno supreme council member said this was because 12 ministers from PAS and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia had sent a memorandum to the King asking for GE15 not to be held this year.

“This act shows that PAS will be unable to work together with Umno.

“PAS is reluctant to leave Bersatu. Without Bersatu, PAS is worried Umno will be more dominant,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

On Wednesday, Perikatan Nasional ministers sent a letter to the King to state their disagreement to GE15 being held this year.

PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this was because of a severe monsoon forecast this year.

Explaining further, Mohd Puad said PAS had decided in its muktamar that it would continue its cooperation with Umno, which Umno accepted with an open heart.

“Umno agreed to this with three conditions: PAS must leave Perikatan Nasional, PAS must leave Bersatu, and PAS must announce openly that it agrees with Umno’s terms.

“However, what has happened is that aside from differing statements among PAS leaders, there were 12 PAS and Bersatu ministers who sent a memorandum to the King,” he added.

He also questioned why PAS opposed Amanah joining Muafakat Nasional if it believed in unity among the Muslim community.

“For Umno, Bersatu is a rival that wants to destroy us,” Mohd Puad said.

He added that Umno is better in managing differing opinions among its leaders compared with PAS.