PAS vows to strengthen ties with Umno and PPBM, says PN ready for polls

(FMT) – PAS today pledged its commitment to Perikatan Nasional (PN), saying it would work hard to strengthen cooperation with two other Malay parties in the alliance, Umno and PPBM.

The Islamist party said while it was bound by a charter it signed with Umno last year, it was also committed to the memorandum of understanding signed by leaders of Barisan Nasional, PPBM as well as parties from Sabah and Sarawak, following the collapse of Pakatan Harapan (PH) last February.

“PAS reiterates that the political cooperation especially between BN and PPBM has been solid and has successfully strengthened the PN government’s position as the government of the day,” said PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

The PN coalition government was formed after Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as prime minister following Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation.

Early last month, FMT reported of plans to get Malay MPs from PAS and Umno to defect from PN to “build up momentum against Muhyiddin”, by reminding the two parties of their charter.

The Umno-PAS charter was signed last year to bring about a strong Malay political force.

But a source in PAS had then said that the party was sticking to PN.

Confirming this today, Takiyuddin said talks of infighting among PAS, PPBM and Umno were “mere psy-war”.

“PAS will continue to be committed to support and defend the PN government led by Muhyiddin Yasin together with the Cabinet members from all parties,” he said.

He said the ruling parties were also prepared to finalise allocation of seats in the likelihood of a general election.

“PAS is confident that the cooperation and tolerance shown by PN members will strengthen the PN government’s position at both the federal and state levels until the end of the current term,” said Takiyuddin.