Umno-Pas may need to work together in 3 states to win GE15, say experts

SHAH ALAM - Umno and Pas may need to work together to capture Selangor, Perak and Penang to win the three states in 15th general elections (GE15). Political analyst from Universiti Teknologi Mara Mujibu Abd Muis said PH present in Selangor and Penang is strong while it remains 50-50 in Perak. "The narrative needed is how to outwit (the influence of) PH," he told Sinar Harian. However, PH is not as strong as it was in 2018 and they are unable to unite. For now, he said Perak could stand on its own without Muafakat Nasional (MN) and both Umno and Pas could negotiate after GE15. So far Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said cooperation between the Malay and the Islamic party should be "forgotten". He had said Umno has given enough space to Pas to come to terms with MN charter but has not agreed. Political analyst from Mazlan Ali said only Selangor needs the cooperation of Umno and Pas to capture the riches state in Malaysia from PH. He said Selangor has 90 towns and PH may win the urban seats, and a clash between Umno and Pas will split Malay votes in the state. Furthermore, Mazlan said there are a lot of fence sitters in Selangor and may not necessarily be Umno supporters.