SEREMBAN: PAS is in talks with Umno to form a political cooperation to face the Aug 1 Negri Sembilan polls, claims Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
The PAS president said this was to ensure the state is led by a Malay-Muslim government after the polls.
"We are working on it," he said after launching the party's Nismilan Kito Jago campaign and fundraising dinner.
"All I can say is that talks have been very positive."
Abdul Hadi said part of the deal is to allow Umno to keep the 14 seats it bagged in the August 2023 election, while PAS will keep the three they won.
"The remaining seats we can divide amongst us," he said. "Also, we are not interested in the Mentri Besar post if we win and Umno can have it as they are the dominant force here."
Asked when a decision can be expected, Abdul Hadi said this would be made when the party announces its list of candidates. Barisan Nasional is scheduled to name their candidates on Wednesday (July 15), while PAS will do so the following day.
Abdul Hadi said both sides had already agreed to work together earlier after the 14 Umno assemblymen withdrew support for then Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
However, their plan to form the state government failed after two Bersatu assemblymen made a u-turn.
Asked which logos the parties would use, Abdul Hadi said Barisan will use their own. He added that PAS will either use Perikatan Nasional or its own logo.
Earlier, state PAS commissioner Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa in his speech said what has been confirmed is that the party will defend the Serting, Paroi and Bagan Pinang seats.
The other seats they will contest depend on the central leadership, he said.
The state assembly has 36 seats.
In the last state polls in August 2023, Pakatan Harapan won 17 seats, followed by Barisan (14) and Perikatan (five). At that time, Pakatan and Barisan had contested under the unity government banner.
