PAS to back incumbents where Umno, Bersatu clash

(FMT) – PAS will back the incumbent in seats where their allies Umno and Bersatu clash in the next general election.

According to a Utusan Malaysia report, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party would use this “formula” to guide its 2.2 million members in GE15.

PAS is an ally of both Umno and Bersatu, but the two Malay parties have been at odds and appear to be on the warpath. PAS is part of the Bersatu-led Perikatan Nasional but it is also part of the Muafakat Nasional alliance with Umno.

Umno has resolved against working with Bersatu in its annual general meeting, and over the weekend, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said his party was ready to take on Umno if it still refused to work with them.

Tuan Ibrahim said PAS’ stand was that the three parties should maintain their seats.

“If in GE15, the seat belonged to Umno, then we will support Umno, and Bersatu if it belonged to Bersatu. The basis of our cooperation is to prevent three-cornered fights, so this is among the ways, on top of other measures,” he told reporters in Dungun, Terengganu.

However, Tuan Ibrahim did not rule out the possibility of clashes between the parties, though they would try to avoid it as it could lead to defeat.