MELAKA (Bernama): Umno has never had any intention to harass or threaten PAS not to join forces with Bersatu, as each political party is free to execute its own policies and plans, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       However, he admitted that Umno recently had raised the decisions taken by the Muafakat Nasional (MN) main committee in meetings held in October and November last year as basis to continue their alliance for the Melaka state election.

       "The cooperation with PAS (within MN) is based on the principle that PAS will use its own logo. However, the PAS leadership does not seem to be interested in what was decided within Muafakat Nasional, as it wants to be with PPBM (Bersatu),” he said in a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday (Nov 7) night.

       This political cooperation, known as the MN Charter, was signed by Zahid and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in September 2019.

       The Election Commission has set Nov 20 for polling and Nov 8 for nominations, while early voting will be conducted on Nov 16.

       The election is being held following the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly on Oct 4, after four assemblymen withdrew their support for the Chief Minister. - Bernama