KUALA LUMPUR: State Umno chapters are free to negotiate political partnerships locally, but any potential deal must ultimately be evaluated and approved by top party leadership, says Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Umno General Assembly on Saturday (Sept 12), Mohamad—fondly known as Tok Mat—stressed that a one-size-fits-all approach no longer works in Malaysia's evolving political landscape.
"They can hold discussions at the state level, but the outcomes must be brought to party headquarters," Mohamad said. "The party will then review the matter. We cannot apply the same rigid formula across every state."
His comments came in response to Kedah Umno delegate Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin, who announced earlier that his state chapter would seek direct talks with PAS ahead of the next general election. However, Shaiful Hazizy explicitly ruled out dealing with Perikatan Nasional as a whole, taking a jab at a component party he dubbed a "small cat" party.
Shaiful Hazizy noted he was echoing Kedah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who had recently cautioned PAS against bowing to newer, smaller coalition partners.
Addressing delegates' growing calls to expedite the 16th General Election, Mohamad brushed off the pressure as standard political momentum. He noted it is only natural for parties to seek a fresh mandate from the people now that three years have passed since the last national poll.
