# UMNO and PAS political cooperation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/umno-and-pas-political-cooperation
> Updated: 2026-09-09T13:25:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 4.

During the 72nd UMNO General Assembly, President Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for the 16th General Election (PRU-16) to be held soon. He introduced the ‘Grand Collaboration’ concept, an initiative designed to foster political understanding among Malay parties to prevent divisive competition, without necessitating formal mergers.

Zahid hinted at potential shifts in the political landscape, suggesting closer ties between UMNO and PAS could occur, using the phrase ‘when blue meets green.’ While positioning UMNO as a political anchor, he maintained the party’s openness to sharing power within a multiracial society.

Internal strategic views within the assembly remained varied. UMNO Youth Johor proposed treating the current partnership with Pakatan Harapan as a temporary arrangement to allow UMNO to regain dominance. Meanwhile, UMNO Women Chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad urged members to strengthen grassroots machinery to rebuild public trust.

## Claims

- UMNO proposed a 'Grand Collaboration' concept to foster political understanding among Malay parties without merging them. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for the 16th General Election (PRU-16) to be held soon. (single source)
- Zahid suggested that closer ties between UMNO and PAS could reshape the political landscape. (single source)
- UMNO Youth Johor proposed that the current Unity Government with Pakatan Harapan should be viewed as a temporary arrangement. (single source)
- UMNO Women Chief Noraini Ahmad urged members to mobilize grassroots efforts to rebuild public trust. (single source)
- Four individuals have been charged in court following the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Tabung Haji. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: UMNO President calls for early general election at party assembly

At the UMNO General Assembly, President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for an early 16th General Election and proposed a 'Grand Collaboration' to unite Malay political interests.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/umno-must-be-self-reliant-and-avoid-political-dependence-says-mohamad-hasan

### 2026-09-08: UMNO prepares for 2026 General Assembly amid coalition tensions

UMNO's 2026 General Assembly faces scrutiny after excluding Pakatan Harapan from the guest list while inviting PAS. Meanwhile, Puteri UMNO seeks to increase its influence through policy-driven leadership.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/umno-prepares-for-2026-general-assembly-amid-coalition-tensions

### 2026-09-01: UMNO leaders to attend 72nd PAS Annual Assembly in Kota Bharu

UMNO leaders Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Akmal Saleh will attend the 72nd PAS Annual Assembly in Kelantan, amid discussions regarding Malay-Islam political unity ahead of the 16th General Election.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/umno-leaders-to-attend-72nd-pas-annual-assembly-in-kota-bharu

### 2026-08-28: UMNO invites PAS leadership to 2026 General Assembly

UMNO has officially invited PAS leadership to attend the 2026 UMNO General Assembly as a gesture of respect and in response to previous invitations.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/umno-invites-pas-leadership-to-2026-general-assembly

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Cite as: UMNO and PAS political cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/umno-and-pas-political-cooperation