Umno takkan paksa PH, pintu kerjasama tetap terbuka

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has not pressured Pakatan Harapan (PH) to partner with Barisan Nasional (BN) ahead of the Melaka PRN, according to Umno's Deputy President Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. However, he stated that Umno is always open to collaborating with any party in dealing with the upcoming elections. "If they don't want to cooperate, that's their choice," he said to the media after the Mara Automotive Ecosystem (Matec) 2026 kickoff event in Menara Mara.

Umno's Press Officer for Amanah, Khalid Samad, had earlier said that PH will not collaborate with BN in the upcoming Melaka PRN. This came as speculation grew about the potential PH-Bersatu collaboration following private meetings of the two party leaders at a hotel in Melaka. However, PH Press Officer Fahmi Fadzil denied any formal discussions on the matter, and any decision would be made at the party's upcoming presidential council meeting.

Among the leaders present at the dinner were Bersatu Chairman Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, Bersatu Melaka PR Officer Mohamad Ali Mohamad, Melaka Amanah Chairman Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat, and PKR Deputy Chairman Adam Adli. Asyraf further stated that Umno is still in discussions and has not had any talks with any new political factions in preparation for the Melaka PRN.

"For now, we are in the process of discussions. We are waiting for the Electoral College's decision," he said.