Puad spotlights differing tones by Zahid and Tok Mat on PAS

Former Umno leader Puad Zarkashi has highlighted the contrasting tones employed by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and deputy Mohamad Hasan (also known as Tok Mat) when discussing PAS. At the recent Umno general assembly, Puad pointed out that while Mohamad advocated for a snap election in Terengganu to test PAS's commitment to rekindling relations with Umno, Zahid opted for an emotional approach, citing the BN-PN's recent electoral success in Negeri Sembilan.

According to Puad, there was a stark difference between the two leaders' tones - one being emotional and the other more rational. Last week, Mohamad had called for Umno to lead any cooperation aimed at promoting Malay-Muslim political unity, asserting that the party had been misled in the past. He also suggested that the PAS-led Terengganu government should dissolve the state assembly and hold a snap election to prove their sincerity about Malay unity.

However, if Umno and PAS can agree on seat allocations in Terengganu, a similar formula could be applied for the next general election (GE16).

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man dismissed Mohamad's call, stating that it would impose burdens and costs on voters. Puad countered that this was an excuse, noting that PAS had not raised any objections when snap elections were held in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. He also pointed out that PAS had supported calls for early GE16.

Puad further warned that after the Melaka polls, BN would no longer have bargaining chips heading into GE16, as PAS still holds four state governments it dominates, particularly in Kedah, Terengganu, and Perlis.