PORT DICKSON: The Malay support base for Perikatan Nasional was only made possible through the role of Bersatu and PAS in the coalition, says Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Training his guns on their former ally, the former Perikatan chairman said there was nothing wrong with the coalition negotiating with other parties, but that it should be done democratically.
“No one can make a decision on their own. You can hold negotiations but it must be done collectively.
“And now, they are saying they want to support Umno at the Negri Sembilan polls. Where do such thoughts come from?” he said during a ceramah on Wednesday (July 22).
PAS severed its political cooperation with Bersatu in June.
He also criticised Perikatan and Barisan Nasional’s electoral understanding for the Negri Sembilan polls, referencing calls from the PAS leadership urging their supporters to back Barisan candidates in seats where the Islamic party was not contesting.
“When has an opposition party ever made such statements?” he said.
Muhyiddin said Bersatu’s decision to contest under its own flag was to prove that the party has the capability and experience to develop the state across all sectors.
“We will stand on our own two feet and contest as Bersatu,” he said.
Bersatu is contesting 24 seats at the Negri Sembilan state polls.
Barisan meanwhile is contesting 25 seats with Perikatan contesting 11.
Pakatan Harapan is contesting all 36 seats.
Polling day is set for Aug 1.
