UMNO Must Partner with PN in Melaka Polls to Regain PM Post, Says Pas Leader

UMNO must continue its cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming Melaka state election if it aims to reclaim the Prime Minister's position after the next general election. Pas Treasurer Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad emphasized that aligning with Pakatan Harapan (PH) would be counterproductive, as the Prime Minister candidate would still come from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Iskandar argued that the Barisan Nasional (BN)-PN collaboration needs to be sustained through the Melaka polls to maintain the momentum of support for both coalitions until the general election. He pointed to the recent Negeri Sembilan state election, where over 70 percent of Malay voters supported the BN-PN coalition, as evidence of the alliance's strength.

“

I feel the mood of Malay voter support is the main factor. The recent Negeri Sembilan state election showed that more than 70 percent of Malay voters supported the BN-PN coalition.

"If it stops in Melaka, it will not reach the general election," Iskandar stated, warning that UMNO's ambition to have its leader as Prime Minister would remain unfulfilled without this continued partnership. Pas, leading PN, believes that negotiations and political cooperation under the banner of 'Perpaduan Ummah' with BN for the Melaka election are progressing more smoothly than they did for the Johor polls.

Pas President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang indicated that representatives from both coalitions are still in discussions. He noted that while BN remains divided, a majority, including its Youth Chief and grassroots members, agree to cooperate with PN. Iskandar expressed confidence that seat and candidate allocations for the BN-PN cooperation in Melaka can be finalized soon. PN holds 14 of the 28 state seats in Melaka through two parliamentary seats from Pas and one from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

“

If UMNO wants to be Prime Minister, continue the BN-PN cooperation.