Will Pas choose UMNO or Bersatu? Is there an answer to the Muafakat Nasional meeting this afternoon?

KUALA LUMPUR: The two main components of Muafakat Nasional, namely UMNO and PAS are expected to meet again at Menara Dato Onn this afternoon.

However, unlike past meetings, there are tensions between leaders of the two largest Malay party, given the political situation is no longer as before.

UMNO and PAS are key components in Muafakat Nasional. PAS is a key component in the Perikatan Nasional led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

Although there are UMNO MPs who hold positions in the Cabinet, the party's Supreme Working Council has decided not to cooperate with Bersatu or Perikatan Nasional in the 15th General Election (GE15).

Following Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan's statement dated March 4, Bersatu Secretary-General Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin was later reported to have said that the party led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was focused on strengthening work with partners in Perikatan Nasional, namely PAS, STAR, SAPP and Gerakan.

The Larut Member of Parliament further explained that the work with the existing Perikatan Nasional component, will be based on an honest and sincere struggle for the people to win the next election. And this adds question to the relationship fostered between PAS and UMNO.

Sinar Harian today quoted a source as saying that the Muafakat Nasional meeting isbelieved to discuss their direction and future.

It was further reported that it will be a very important meeting after UMNO decided not to be with Perikatan Nasional again after Parliament is dissolved.

“The UMNO leadership wants to know what PAS's stance is because this is important to determine the distribution of seats before the next election.

"This is because it is impossible to give a seat if PAS does not state their stand either with UMNO or Bersatu," the source told the newspaper.