{
  "id": 16201199,
  "title": "PAS needs Wawasan even if PN is deregistered, says ex-Umno leader",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/pas-needs-wawasan-even-if-pn-is-deregistered-says-ex-umno-leader",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T15:22:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/23/pas-needs-wawasan-even-if-pn-is-deregistered-says-ex-umno-leader"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan believes that PAS would likely continue working with Wawasan president Hamzah Zainudin even if Perikatan Nasional (PN) is deregistered, according to the latest episode of his podcast, Keluar Sekejap. Shahril argued that an alliance between PAS and Wawasan would help prevent Umno from becoming too dominant in future elections, as it would allow for more balanced seat negotiations.\n\nHe explained that PN's deregistration, if upheld, would reduce Hamzah's bargaining power, making negotiations between Umno and PAS simpler, as there would be no need to accommodate the broader coalition. However, Shahril emphasized that despite his criticisms of Hamzah's political choices, he acknowledged the ex-federal minister as an \"outstanding political operator.\"",
  "summary": "Shahril Hamdan says Hamzah Zainudin's party could help prevent Umno from becoming too dominant in the event PAS and Umno forge an electoral pact.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}