{
  "id": 15764550,
  "title": "Zahid cancels Pas mega unity rally due to Melaka event",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/zahid-cancels-pas-mega-unity-rally-due-to-melaka-event",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T16:20:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1560099/zahid-cancels-pas-mega-unity-rally-due-melaka-event"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "State media reports that Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will not participate in a Pas unity rally in Kelantan on Friday. The reason for his absence is due to Umno having a scheduled event in Melaka on the same day. Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan disclosed that the event, anticipated to attract over 100,000 attendees, will also commemorate the 36th year of Pas governance in Kelantan.\n\nAccording to Kelantan Umno liaison deputy chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Fatmi Che Salleh, Zahid was informed by the organizers that he could not attend the event because Umno had a major program in Melaka on the same day. Initially, the organizers had intended to hold a joint event with Umno, with Zahid set to deliver a speech alongside Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang at a stadium. Takiyuddin further stated that Kelantan Umno had proposed organizing a similar event on a larger scale following the Melaka state election.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will not attend a Pas unity gathering in Kelantan on Friday because Umno has a programme in Melaka on the same day.",
  "key_points": [
    "Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi cancels Kelantan Pas rally",
    "Rally scheduled for same day as Umno event in Melaka",
    "Event expected to draw over 100,000 attendees and mark 36 years of Pas governance"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}