Not PN but Pas ready to merge with BN – Takiyuddin

KOTA BHARU - Not Perikatan Nasional (PN) but Pas is the one ready to join Barisan Nasional (BN) if the party does not get a simple majority in the 15th General Election (GE15).

Pas Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said Pas's stance was clear that if asked to join, the party would go for BN.

He added that he would never join Pakatan Harapan (PH) or any PH component party.

"Any party that gets a simple majority of a minimum of 112 seats in GE15, the party will form its own government but if otherwise, there will be parties joining forces to form a government.

"Therefore, Pas needs to be merged and the option is with BN," he said when met after visiting the early voting centre at the Taman Asuhan Kanak-kanak (TASKA) of Kelantan's Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK), here, on Tuesday.

Also visited the polling centre was Kelantan Pakatan Harapan Deputy Women Chief Dr Hafidzah Mustakim who was also a candidate for the Kota Bharu Parliamentary PH against Takiyuddin as the incumbent.

Takiyuddin explained that his statement on Monday regarding PN and BN might merge to form a government after GE15 should have referred to Pas instead of PN.

"I do not have the authority to issue a statement for PN, I speak in my capacity as Secretary-General of Pas.

"I have also consulted Pas President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang before issuing any statement and have the same view on the matter which is to join BN if the party does not get a simple majority in GE15," he said.

On Tuesday, PN Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin denied the party would merge with BN after GE15 as Takiyuddin claimed on Monday.