Umno snubs PAS in Terengganu, will contest all seats in GE15

Umno will be contesting in all 32 seats in Terengganu for the upcoming general election (GE15), says Besut chief Nawi Mohamad.

(FMT) – “Umno, as well as Barisan Nasional (BN) have identified candidates who are credible and acceptable to the people. We will contest in all 32 state constituencies and eight parliamentary seats in GE15,” said Nawi at an Aidilfitri event.

He said Umno would be defending its 10 seats in the state assembly.

“We will be defending the Besut and Hulu Terengganu parliamentary seats and we will seize six more seats currently held by PAS,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

The Hulu Besut assemblyman said that the party’s committee at state level had decided not to cooperate with PAS, Bersatu, Amanah or any other party in GE15, adding that the Umno Supreme Council chaired by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had been informed of the decision.

Nawi denied claims that talks were held between Terengganu BN chairman Ahmad Said and state PKR chairman Azan Ismail on possible cooperation in the election.

Nawi also said that Terengganu Umno would no longer be part of the Muafakat Nasional (MN) coalition with PAS.

“We have decided to leave the (MN) coalition, so there is no need to discuss the dividing of seats,” he said.

In March, a Terengganu Umno assemblyman had urged the party to end its MN alliance with PAS.

Batu Rakit assemblyman Bazlan Abd Rahman said with MN remaining only in name now, it was time to cut political ties with the Islamic party.