SEREMBAN: PAS will contest the Nov 20 Melaka state election under Perikatan Nasional’s banner and Umno respects its decision, said Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

       The Umno deputy president also said Muafakat Nasional’s agenda of uniting Muslims across the country will continue despite PAS’ decision to stick with Perikatan.

       “If that is what PAS has decided, we in Umno respect it,” he said when contacted.

       Prior to this, Mohamad had asked PAS to decide quickly if the party will work with Umno in the next general election.

       Mohamad, who is Umno election director, said PAS should not wait until Parliament is dissolved.

       He added that PAS cannot have the best of both worlds as Umno had decided months ago that it would not work with Bersatu in the next general election.

       PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang on Monday said the PAS central working committee decided that Perikatan’s logo will be used by the Islamist party in the Melaka state election on Nov 20.

       Abdul Hadi’s remarks came despite an offer by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan last Friday, who said Umno will maintain its cooperation with PAS under the Muafakat charter.

       The Muafakat charter was signed on Sept 14, 2019, by PAS and Umno, which among others, agreed to cooperate for the development of the Islamic and Malay narrative without denying the diversity of religion, race and culture as central to the political stability, racial harmony and peace of the country.

       However, in Aug 20 last year, PAS officially joined Perikatan as a component member, which triggered uneasiness among Umno grassroots.

       Perikatan consists of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, PAS, Gerakan, Sabah STAR, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

       Nominations for the Melaka state election is set on Nov 8 while polling will take place on Nov 20.