Akmal says PH drove Umno towards PAS

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has claimed that the party was pushed towards cooperation with PAS due to the repeated pressure from Pakatan Harapan (PH) to choose between power and principles. At the Umno Youth assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Akmal stated that when people inquire about Umno's move towards PAS, they should direct their questions towards PH, rather than Umno itself.

He argued that after the 15th general election, Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) was ready to stay in opposition but agreed to form the government out of respect for the king's wishes. Akmal questioned whether PH had demonstrated the same respect for royal views, highlighting the controversy surrounding pig farming in Selangor. The BN chairman, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president, revealed that Melaka BN chief Ab Rauf Yusof had been given the task to negotiate electoral cooperation with any party for the state election.

Zahid stated that the partner must be sincere and honest to ensure BN maintains its leadership in the state government for another term. Initially, Zahid mentioned that BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) would continue their alliance in the Melaka polls following their victory in the Negeri Sembilan election on August 1. However, tensions arose as Zahid later stated that BN aimed to contest all 21 seats won in the previous Melaka election, while PN claimed negotiations were still ongoing.

Melaka has 28 state seats, and BN won 21 of them during the 2021 state election, with PH securing five and PN two. The state government's term is set to end on December 31.