PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional is strong on its own and does not need to cooperate with other parties after the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Putrajaya and Pakatan Harapan ends on July 31, says Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

       "I think we are strong on our own and working towards the election, we need to be on our own now.

       "We need to show that we are strong. That is why I feel strongly that maybe we don't need the MOU, we just proceed from July 31 onwards," said the Umno stalwart.

       Umno had said its supreme council decided that the MOU between Putrajaya and the government should not be continued.

       PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, however, said on Friday (April 15) afternoon that a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the top leadership of Perikatan Nasional has been scheduled, as any decision regarding the MOU must be collectively decided.

       Meanwhile, Nazri said Ismail Sabri, who is presently one of Umno's three vice-presidents, should be appointed as Barisan chairman ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15).

       "This is because we cannot have a chairman who is sort of ‘injured’," said Nazri, referring to Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is currently facing several court cases.

       "Ismail Sabri is the prime minister, so he should lead the coalition into GE15," Nazri said.

       Nazri, who's presently at his Padang Rengas constituency in Perak, said he was sticking to his decision not to defend his MP seat in the next general election.

       "We cross the bridge when we come to the river. Of course, everyone is different and finding someone similar to me, that's not going to happen, but one day, we will all have to go," said Nazri.

       The former minister also remained coy over Barisan's new candidate for Padang Rengas, and said announcements will be made when the time comes.

       "Someone younger than me, that's for sure," Nazri quipped.

       "It doesn't matter who, as long as Padang Rengas Umno (division) agrees. Because, we have to win in Padang Rengas, and we need someone who can deliver the seat," added Nazri.

       Among the agreements under the MOU signed between the government and Pakatan last September was that Parliament cannot be dissolved before July 31 this year.