Sanusi questions Umno’s sincerity after call for T’ganu polls

PAS election director Sanusi Nor expressed skepticism about Umno's commitment to Malay political unity after Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan suggested a snap election in Terengganu. Sanusi contended that PAS's sincerity regarding Malay unity does not require a test, unlike Umno, which failed to relinquish seats to PAS in the Johor or Negeri Sembilan polls. The Perikatan Nasional election director alleged Umno's true intent was merely to facilitate vote transfer and maintain current seats, according to Berita Harian.

Sanusi questioned which Umno seats were allocated to PAS in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls, or which Umno seats will be granted to PAS in Melaka. He emphasized that Umno's sincerity thus far has been focused on safeguarding their existing positions and contesting seats held by Pakatan Harapan.

Mohamad Hasan, known as Tok Mat, had proposed a snap election in PAS-led Terengganu to demonstrate PAS's sincerity towards Malay unity, suggesting that an agreement on seat allocations could be replicated for future general elections. Umno had suffered a significant defeat in the 2023 Terengganu state election, winning no seats out of the 27 they contested. The Perikatan Nasional (PN) had secured all 32 seats in Terengganu, with PAS winning 27 and Bersatu five, leaving Terengganu without an opposition for the first time.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man declined Mohamad's call, arguing that elections should not serve as a test or gauge of political cooperation's sincerity. He maintained that a snap election was unnecessary since the Terengganu government was stable and performing well.