PUTRAJAYA: The decision by PAS to end its political cooperation with Bersatu comes as no surprise, as it was widely anticipated, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the development offers an important lesson that political alliances should not be driven solely by political considerations but must also be grounded in the broader goals of national development and unity.
“We in Umno had expected this to happen ... this was a political assessment based on the belief that any collaboration must be founded on sincerity and free from elements of betrayal.
“Such cooperation must be built for the long term so that national objectives can be achieved and unity among the people can be strengthened. Whatever steps are taken after this, they should not be limited to signatures on paper or pledges of allegiance. What matters most is sincerity that can be translated into a lasting and sustainable commitment,” he told reporters after attending the Kemas Educators’ Day celebration yesterday, as reported by Bernama.
On Monday, PAS announced its decision to terminate political cooperation with Bersatu.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said in a statement that the decision was made at a special meeting of the party’s central working committee after taking into account reports, studies and current assessments of the relationship with Bersatu.
Commenting on the June 4 meeting between Umno and PAS, Ahmad Zahid described it as a positive development that should be followed by further efforts.
He said the meeting was an initiative by the leadership of both parties to resolve several issues and was not focused on a political agenda.
“If it is related to politics, it will certainly be further refined because we (Umno) remain in the unity government that is currently formed.
“That is our (Umno) principle, and that principle must be respected,” he said.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, on his part, said that Umno had nothing to do with PAS’ decision to end its political cooperation with Bersatu.
“Every time something happens, they say it is Umno’s doing,” he told reporters here yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.
He reiterated that Umno was not responsible for the fallout between the two parties.
At another event, Ahmad Zahid said that Barisan Nasional would contest all the seats in the Negri Sembilan state election.
For now, the Umno president said the party and Barisan would continue to work with Pakatan Harapan in the caretaker state administration.
“We will move solo in the Negri Sembilan polls. Pakatan is contesting all 36 seats, so we have to contest all the seats too,” he told reporters after the launch of Invest Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
The dissolution of the Negri Sembilan state assembly was announced on Friday.
In the previous 2023 polls, Pakatan and Barisan formed the state government after Pakatan won 17 seats while Barisan took 14. Perikatan Nasional won five seats.
