Pas open to seat swaps with Umno in upcoming elections

TEMERLOH: Pas is open to discussing seat exchanges with Umno in the upcoming elections, deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man stated. The deputy president suggested that incumbent seats should generally be retained by the party that won them in the last general election, but negotiations could lead to swaps depending on each constituency's circumstances.

For instance, Umno might want to contest a specific seat but may need to surrender another of similar significance. Generally, any proposed exchanges would involve a win-seat-for-win-seat or lose-seat arrangement. While negotiations are not limited to seats within the same state or parliamentary constituency, they could also involve constituencies across various states, Tuan Ibrahim noted during a press conference after inaugurating the national-level cyber troopers or mujahid cyber convention at the party's Al Makmur Complex.

The deputy president emphasized Pas's flexibility in determining suitable arrangements through talks, citing the public's favorable response to efforts towards Muslim unity. When asked if Pas intended to defend all its current state seats, including those in Pahang, for the elections, Tuan Ibrahim stated that discussing seat negotiations for potential political cooperation with Pahang Umno was premature as the current focus was on the upcoming Melaka state election.

He added that all parties were concentrating on Melaka, followed by Sarawak, and would assess the situation afterward. Last week, Pahang Pas commissioner Datuk Rosli Abdul Jabar indicated that the party was prepared for discussions, while Pahang Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail affirmed that Umno was willing to cooperate with any political party, including Pas.