Perlis PN open to cooperation, seeks political harmony

Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Perlis, has expressed the coalition's readiness to cooperate with any party, prioritizing political harmony in the state. He articulated a preference for a peaceful approach to politics, stating, "I am not ready to fight, instead I am ready to be friends." Shahidan added that their struggle is to prevent conflict and continuously seek opportunities for collaboration.

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I am not ready to fight, instead I am ready to be friends.

"We do not plan or intend to seek enemies, but if enemies come, we will not run. We will continue to stand our ground and, with the permission of Allah SWT, we will achieve victory," he said at the 52nd Pas Kawasan Arau Annual General Meeting. This stance highlights PN Perlis's commitment to maintaining stability and fostering partnerships within the political landscape of the state.

Shahidan's remarks come in the wake of UMNO Perlis's firm declaration that there have been no discussions regarding cooperation with any political party, including PN. UMNO Perlis has stated its intention to contest the upcoming 16th General Election (PRU16) independently, a decision reportedly based on the will of the majority of party members and grassroots supporters, with the final decision resting with the party's top leadership.

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We do not plan or intend to seek enemies, but if enemies come, we will not run. We will continue to stand our ground and, with the permission of Allah SWT, we will achieve victory.

The PN chairman also cautioned against assuming that a party's dominance at the state level guarantees absolute victory at the federal level. "We must remember that state victories do not guarantee federal victories. If we lose federally, it means we lose across Malaysia. Therefore, for Barisan Nasional (BN) to win at the federal level, they still need support from Pas," he explained. Shahidan concluded that any form of cooperation or contestation at the state level must be referred to and approved by the central leadership.

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We must remember that state victories do not guarantee federal victories. If we lose federally, it means we lose across Malaysia. Therefore, for Barisan Nasional (BN) to win at the federal level, they still need support from Pas.