Jika ikut takrifan PAS, Ummo hanya tanding 9 kerusi di Perak

Perwakilan Umno Perak has warned that cooperating with PAS could jeopardize the survival of Umno. Iqbal Jamal Jamaluddin, the deputy chairman of Umno Ipoh Barat, explained that Umno Perak would only contest nine Dewan Negara seats if the distribution of seats is based on PAS's status quo. If the status quo from the 2015 general election remains, Umno Perak would only have nine seats and risk losing up to 13 seats.

He stressed that political unity should not come at the cost of Umno's survival. Umno must strive for unity among Muslims, but the discussion must be thorough and respectful, he added. No region should be strong like Johor and Melaka while the north lags behind, he warned. Iqbal said that seat distribution should take into account the performance of Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad, including the fourth-highest Domestic Product Growth (KDNK) and an increase in state revenue of nearly RM490 million in four years.

It's a shame if positive figures that the people feel are ignored for the 2016 general election. Perak has a strong performance-based politics, so seat distribution cannot be made arbitrarily without considering recent achievements, he added. Currently, the Barisan Nasional holds nine seats (eight Umno and one MIC) in the Dewan Negara, compared to 18 out of 26 seats for the Perikatan Nasional (17 PAS, eight Bersatu, and one Wawasan).

In the Parliament, the BN holds three seats, compared to 10 in the hands of PN. On September 3, it was reported that the Dewan Pemuda PAS had voted to keep all parliamentary and Dewan Negara seats won in the 2015 general election for PAS candidates in the upcoming election, including if they cooperate with any party. Khairul Nadzir Helmi Azhar, the head of the Dewan Pemuda PAS communications, said the proposal was put forward by the Pemuda PAS representatives and unanimously approved without debate.