PAS Rejects UMNO’s Proposal for Early State Polls

Former Johor State Assembly Speaker Mohd Puad Zarkashi believes there is merit in UMNO’s challenge to PAS over the sincerity of their political cooperation. He pointed to UMNO Deputy President Mohamad Hasan, who suggested that PAS‑PN (SG4 states) dissolve their assemblies to pave the way for state elections after Melaka’s polls. 

Mohamad argued this would test PAS’s sincerity, noting UMNO had already proven its commitment in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

Puad Warns UMNO to Be Wary of PAS’s Strategy

Puad explained that Mohamad’s remarks during UMNO’s General Assembly were meant to gauge PAS’s response. 

However, PAS rejected the idea, citing respect for the people’s mandate, with Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man stressing the cost of elections. Puad countered that PAS had remained silent when Johor and Negeri Sembilan held early polls, exposing what he called PAS’s lack of sincerity.

He added that PAS’s control of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis gives it leverage over UMNO, unlike BN which lost ground in those states. 

Puad warned UMNO to be cautious in forging ties with PAS, noting differences in tone between UMNO leaders Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Mohamad Hasan — one rational, the other emotional. 

He concluded that PAS’s reasoning over election costs was merely an excuse, insisting the party was not genuine in its partnership.