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PAS and UMNO discussions on Malay-Muslim unity

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2026-09-24 04:43 UTC → 2026-09-28 09:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Discussions between PAS and UMNO regarding Malay-Muslim unity have progressed, with leaders emphasizing the need for stable political cooperation. UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki clarified that current efforts are not intended to revive the Muafakat Nasional pact, but rather to meet community aspirations. PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man noted that cooperation is subject to review by the Majlis Syura Ulama, while PAS Youth Chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden warned against ‘seasonal’ unity. In a recent development, UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed a “sincerity test” to evaluate potential cooperation for the 16th General Election (GE16). This proposal suggests testing the parties' ability to work together in Terengganu, Kelantan, and Kedah based on mutual respect and honesty. Analysts suggest such a partnership could offer a “win-win” scenario, though some experts caution that UMNO may prefer to avoid binding pacts to allow space for rebuilding its own electoral strength. Internal caution remains high within UMNO. During the General Assembly, Terengganu leaders urged Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to exercise extreme caution, with Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman warning that poorly structured deals could lead to a repeat of the 2023 state election where PAS-led Perikatan Nasional won all 32 seats. In Pahang, Vice-President Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail noted that while a pact with Perikatan Nasional could lead to a comfortable win, partnering with Pakatan Harapan might result in a 15% loss of Malay votes. Adding to the friction, PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has rejected a proposal by UMNO Deputy President Mohamad Hasan to hold an early state election in Terengganu. Recent political analysis indicates that interactions, such as PAS attending the UMNO General Assembly and UMNO attending the PAS Muktamar, suggest a shift toward reducing direct confrontation.

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