‘One for you, one for me’: Tok Mat calls for PAS to put its unity talk to the test after Melaka election

KUALA LUMPUR, September 12 — Umno deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, has called on PAS to put its unity talk to the test following the recent Melaka election. He suggested holding snap elections in one of the four states governed by Perikatan Nasional (PN), namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis, to gauge the sincerity of PAS in promoting Malay unity.

Mohamad, known as Tok Mat, emphasized that the era of one-party rule is over, but cautioned that Umno should not allow other parties to exploit its willingness to form political pacts. He proposed a "one for you, one for me" formula, meaning that two states should be ruled by Umno and the other two by PAS. This suggestion comes as Umno-led Barisan Nasional currently governs Negeri Sembilan jointly with PAS, with Umno holding 18 seats and PAS seven.

The Melaka state assembly's term ends in December, but Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has hinted at the possibility of dissolving it prematurely. Mohamad urged Ab Rauf to negotiate seat distribution with political partners while maintaining Umno's dignity ahead of the upcoming election. He stressed that Umno should not rely on others' sympathy and instead should strive to strengthen its own position.