Mahdzir wants to meet Sanusi first for Umno-PAS cooperation in Kedah

Kedah Umno chief Mahdzir Khalid announced plans to meet Kedah PAS leader Sanusi Nor before engaging in further discussions on potential cooperation. This meeting would serve as a precursor to more detailed talks, Berita Harian reported. Mahdzir stated that he would initially meet the Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor before proceeding to converse with the state PAS leadership.

He emphasized that their collaboration would focus on various aspects and would be conducted in stages, starting with the aforementioned meeting. The Umno Supreme Council recently approved negotiations with political parties interested in working with the party in the upcoming elections, according to Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, the council's secretary-general.

The secretary-general emphasized that these negotiations should be based on sincerity and trust rather than threats or intimidation. The announcement comes amid increased attention on Umno-PAS ties, following political cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional in the recent Negeri Sembilan state election. The informal electoral understanding resulted in BN and PN securing 25 seats out of 36 in the state assembly, sparking calls to extend the cooperation to the 16th general election and the upcoming Melaka election, which is expected to take place before the end of the year.