Sanusi, Kedah Umno leaders to meet over possible political cooperation

Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor said he would meet Kedah Umno leaders today to explore possible political cooperation between the two parties. Sanusi, who serves as PAS election director, announced the informal meeting would likely include Kedah Umno chairman Mahdzir Khalid and former Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Hanipah.

Sunday saw Sanusi confirm the approval of Kedah PAS to meet Mahdzir and Bashah to discuss potential political collaboration in the state. He explained that no decisions would be made at the meeting; instead, the focus would be on negotiating and providing justifications to central leadership for contesting specific seats. Factors such as strong election machinery, good candidates, long-standing work in the area, or currently held seats could form the basis of negotiations, according to Utusan.

Sanusi expressed hope that Umno would accept his proposal to extend seat negotiations beyond Melaka state, considering the possibility of seat swaps in future elections. If Umno wished to contest in PAS-controlled states like Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, or Perlis, Sanusi proposed allowing PAS to contest seats in Melaka and other Umno-controlled states in return.

Sanusi suggested a potential deal where Umno could gain four seats, potentially exchanging them for one seat each in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis. He dismissed the notion of an equal division of seats, emphasizing that negotiations should be based on each party's strengths and winning prospects.