'A calm election since BN will not contest Chempaka polls' - Mahfuz Omar

Malaysia will experience a 'safer' political landscape should UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) decide not to contest in any elections in the country, the PAS information chief said.

In a statement Friday, Datuk Mahfuz Omar said this was because UMNO's involvement in any elections would usually create divisiveness among the people.

Mahfuz also expressed gladness on the decision by the UMNO Supreme Council on Wednesday to not contest the Chempaka state by-election on March 22.

"With the decision, PAS hopes that UMNO will no longer sent a candidate for any election or general election because indirectly, UMNO is the main cause of the split that occurs within the community.

"When UMNO contest in the elections, the atmosphere of disunity and discord often occur because they manipulate the government machinery for the benefit of their own party, thus creating an uneven playing field," said Mahfuz, who is also Pokok Sena MP.