Cooperation with Umno can last beyond 3 years, says PAS

Melaka PAS commissioner Zulkifli Ismail clarified during a press conference today that the cooperation with Umno can extend beyond three years, dismissing concerns about the longevity of the alliance. He emphasized that the party's commitment to unity should not be judged by the previous three-year term. Zulkifli argued that those striving for unity will ensure the partnership lasts for good, with divine support.

This statement came in response to Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli's claim that Umno and PAS have never managed to share power for more than three years. Rafizi also described Umno as a party not founded to share power, suggesting PAS would eventually learn the same lesson from its prior collaboration with the party. The Muafakat Nasional alliance between PAS and Umno was formalized in 2019 but dissolved when PAS joined Bersatu to form Perikatan Nasional the following year.

Zulkifli also noted that support for the current Barisan Nasional-PN alliance is anticipated to grow as the voting day approaches. The BN coalition is contesting 23 seats in Melaka, while the PN-PAS alliance aims for the remaining five. The Umno-led BN and the PN alliance explored closer cooperation following their joint victory in the Negeri Sembilan election, where BN secured 18 seats, and PN took seven. PAS also backed BN candidates in the Johor election, where BN claimed 48 out of the 56 state seats.