PAS won’t ditch PPBM, let’s respect that, says Umno info chief

(FMT) – Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan says the party should not waste time speaking about a future with PAS that does not include PPBM.

In a Facebook post after an interview with PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin, Shahril said it was clear that PAS has no intention to desert Umno or PPBM.

The Islamist party, he said, also does not want clashes between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional, and wants straight fights with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“If a three-cornered fight among Umno, PPBM and PH takes place in an area, PAS will be put in a difficult situation and may reserve its stand. The beneficiary will be PH.”

PAS, he said, has made its stand on ties with the two Malay parties, and Umno could either continue to insist that an Umno-PAS alliance is enough or respect its ally’s decision that it wants the three parties to stick together.

Shahril said he preferred to respect PAS’ stand without compromising Umno’s aspirations as the country’s largest national party.

“Umno must be wise and responsive to the changing dynamics,” he said.

He said he was certain that PAS will respect the fact that decisions made by Umno are entirely up to the party without coercion.

Previously, Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the party did not wish to be forced to accept anyone as its political partner.

The former Johor menteri besar also said the combination of Umno-PAS was strong enough to win the next general election.

Shahril said as PAS’ stand was clear, Umno should look at the available options rather than waste time speaking of options that no longer exist.

“There are choices without risk. What is important is that a decision has to be made so there is no more confusion. More is lost by indecision than by the wrong decision,” he said.