SEREMBAN: Perikatan Nasional is open to exploring various political cooperation models with Barisan Nasional to secure Malay-Muslim unity, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
The Perikatan chairman said several pathways exist to extend this partnership to other states in the future following their initial collaboration for the Aug 1 Negri Sembilan polls.
He was responding to statements by Umno leaders who said the electoral pact was a one-off arrangement for Negri Sembilan and might not be suitable in other states.
"We will look into each one. There are various models, methods and approaches we can implement.
"When the time and moment comes, we will get to that topic," he said after a Muafakat Nasional programme here on Sunday (July 26).
Among the Umno leaders who questioned the suitability of extending the cooperation was Pahang State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin.
Sharkar, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said this was because each state had its own political dynamics, noting that Pahang would go to the polls in 2027.
Among the objectives of the political cooperation is to prevent both Barisan and Perikatan from fielding candidates against each other.
In the Negri Sembilan polls, Barisan will contest 25 of the 36 seats while Perikatan will field candidates in 11.
Separately, Ahmad Samsuri said Perikatan and Barisan's campaigns have been proceeding smoothly despite Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi issuing a public rebuke to Perikatan election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over his remarks at a ceramah in Jempol on Friday.
To another question, Ahmad Samsuri said both sides have yet to discuss the candidate for mentri besar in the event they emerge victorious.
"Just like several other matters, we have yet to discuss that. But as I mentioned earlier, discussions between the Barisan and Perikatan leaderships until now have not been difficult and I believe there will be no issues when the time comes to finalise these matters on Aug 1," he said.
Prior to this, Negri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said Perikatan explicitly stated during earlier discussions that Barisan would be allocated the mentri besar post if they win the election.
