GE15: Penang UMNO still hope party leadership, Pas to resume cooperation

State UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said this was in view of the two parties' harmonious situation and close relationship in Penang.

"The situation in Penang is different, we are indeed very close with Pas. So, when this (UMNO moves solo) we have to clash with Pas even though we hope (to) avoid a three-cornered clash involving Pas.

"We still hope that the leadership of Pas and UMNO can resolve this matter...if not, we will have to agree (and) fight in a friendly manner," he told reporters after the launch of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (KIMMA) election machinery, last night.

On Thursday, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said UMNO and BN decided to go solo to face GE15 following PAS' decision to strengthen cooperation in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) on the principle of uniting the ummah.

Meanwhile, Musa, who is also Penang BN chairman, said the state BN now has an additional 13 state seats and four parliamentary seats to contest after Gerakan left the coalition on June 23, 2018, to join PN in February this year.

In GE14, Penang BN contested 40 state seats and 13 parliament seats with Gerakan in 13 state seats and four parliamentary seats, UMNO (15 state seats, five parliamentary seats) and MCA (10 state seats, four parliamentary seats) while MIC (two state seats).