PETALING JAYA: PAS will back Perikatan Nasional in the upcoming Melaka state election, says its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
He said should a clash arise between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia over a seat, PAS would back the latter, which is part of the Perikatan coalition.
"We will vote for Perikatan. We are using the same logo," he said during a press conference after opening the party's muktamar or annual general assembly in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday (Nov 6).
Barisan Nasional had earlier announced that it would contest all 28 seats in the upcoming Melaka state polls, with Umno taking on 20, MCA (seven) and MIC (one).
However, Abdul Hadi appeared unfazed over the possibility of clashing with Barisan and said eleventh hour changes could happen before nomination day on Monday (Nov 6).
Abdul Hadi said PAS' candidates would be jointly announced with Perikatan's at 5pm later Saturday evening.
He hinted that PAS is aiming to contest at least seven seats in the Melaka polls.
"At least one-third (of seats). We are not greedy because we have other parties," he said.
Perikatan consists of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, PAS, Gerakan, Sabah STAR and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
Perikatan had previously announced that it would contest all 28 seats.
During the 14th General Election, Bersatu won two of the six seats contested, while PAS lost all 24 seats they contested.
Recently, PAS announced it would contest under the Perikatan logo in the Melaka state elections.
PAS and Umno previously signed the Muafakat Nasional charter on Sept 14, 2019, and 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.
Nominations for the Melaka state election is on Nov 8 while polling is on Nov 20.