KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah Umno will initiate talks with PAS on possible political cooperation ahead of the next general election but has ruled out negotiations with Perikatan Nasional as a coalition, citing the presence of a component party it described as a “small cat” party.
Kedah Umno delegate Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the state liaison body had recently decided to engage PAS directly rather than negotiate with Perikatan as a coalition.
“We will start by having coffee with PAS, but not with Perikatan.
“Because there is another party in Perikatan, the ‘cat party’.
“There is a party that was only formed a few days ago.
“I am not the one calling it the ‘cat party’. It was my friend, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who called it that,” said Shaiful Hazizy while debating the president’s policy speech at the 2026 Umno general assembly today.
On Sept 5, Sanusi, who is also PAS central election director, said the Islamist party should not be overly humble or “tawaduk” towards those who do not show the same humility, especially when negotiating.
“PAS has become an ‘elephant’. Suddenly, a cat comes along carrying two or three kittens, and we become afraid.
“Yet this party was only formed two days ago. Then it comes along and starts lecturing us, and we follow it. That is not right,” said Sanusi when winding up the president’s policy speech at the 72nd PAS Muktamar.
Shaiful Hazizy said Kedah Umno would therefore deal directly with PAS.
“We are not going to negotiate with the 'cat' party. We will negotiate with PAS,” he said.
He also expressed concern over political developments involving certain groups which appeared to be making “last-minute insurance” arrangements, citing recent incidents involving Bersatu leaders and elected representatives who had quit or moved between political groupings.
On Kedah’s political direction, Shaiful Hazizy said the state party would leave the decision entirely to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“We leave 100% of the decision to the president to determine the future and direction of Kedah,” he said.
