PAS denies ‘two-timing' Bersatu
PETALING JAYA : PAS has denied claims of strain within Perikatan Nasional, after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suggested that Bersatu's willingness to work with Umno may be due to its two-timing partner within the coalition.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said PN, comprising Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party, remains strong and focussed on preparing its machinery for the 16th general election (GE16).
He said the strength of the partnership was evident when Bersatu's campaign machinery actively supported PAS candidates in several recent by-elections, including in Ayer Kuning on April 26.
'We've proven that our cooperation is not mere rhetoric. PN meetings continue as usual, and our machineries work together on the ground. So, any claims suggesting tension within the coalition are baseless.
'There is no rift, and the accusation that a party is playing both sides does not arise. What Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin outlined is part of a broader strategy for Malay-Muslim unity, not a merger between parties,' he told FMT.
During a podcast with former minister Zaid Ibrahim earlier this month, Hamzah said Bersatu was open to cooperating with Umno due to their shared ideologies.
He reiterated the same message during the Ayer Kuning by-election campaign last month, where Umno retained the seat with a bigger majority, despite voter turnout falling below 60%.
Zahid claimed that Hamzah's repetition of willingness to work with Umno was due to the opposition leader realising that Bersatu had a two-timing partner, although he did not name any specific party.
FMT today reported that Bersatu is actively 'window shopping' for a political partner ahead of GE16, as signals from party leaders point to growing unease within PN. Analysts say the move is driven by necessity.
Responding to the report, Tuan Ibrahim reaffirmed PN's commitment to strengthening Malay-Muslim political cooperation as a long-term priority.
'Calls to strengthen unity among Malay-Muslim parties have always been part of PN's core agenda. This should not be misinterpreted as a sign of division.
'Instead, it should be seen as an effort to broaden the agenda of Muslim unity for long-term needs,' he said.
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