IPOH: PAS must tone down its rhetoric and avoid threats if it seeks to revive political ties with Umno, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said Saturday (Sept 19).
Saarani’s remarks follow criticism from PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari over Perak Barisan Nasional’s decision to back Perak PKR chairman Mohd Hairul Amir Sabri for a Senate seat during a state assembly vote on Sept 10.
Mohd Hairul won the contest against PAS candidate Muhammad Zulkifli Muhammad Zakaria, who secured 26 votes—matching the total number of assemblymen from the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional.
In a video posted online, Ahmad Fadhli warned Umno against its current political posture amid ongoing discussions regarding potential cooperation between Barisan and Perikatan at state and federal levels.
"In order to negotiate for a consensus (muafakat), we need to start from zero and accept each other's strengths and weaknesses," Saarani said during a press conference at Stadium Indera Mulia. "If we are to cooperate, we must be mindful of our language. Do not threaten us."
Saarani, who leads Perak Barisan, dismissed the opposition’s grievances and pointed to PAS’s past political manoeuvring in the state. He noted that in 2018, PAS abandoned Barisan, despite holding only three state seats to Barisan’s 27, preventing the two parties from jointly forming the state government.
He added that PAS later deserted the Muafakat Nasional alliance with Umno to align with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to establish Pakatan.
"Do not always blame Umno," Saarani said.
