UMNO Kedah gets early glimpse of possible cooperation with PAS after informal meeting with Sanusi
KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO Kedah has gained an early indication of possible cooperation with PAS in the state following an informal meeting with Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor yesterday.
UMNO Kedah liaison chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid described the informal “tea-time meeting” with Sanusi as warm and highly positive, saying it had opened the way for more serious discussions between the two parties at a higher level.
“UMNO Kedah visited the Kedah Menteri Besar’s official residence yesterday (Tuesday) for an informal meeting, which I would describe as very cordial and positive.
“The outcome also gave us an early indication of the direction towards more serious discussions at a higher level after this,” he said in a statement today.
Mahdzir said the meeting also provided UMNO Kedah with an idea of how negotiations between the two parties could be structured should they decide to work together in the 16th general election (GE16).
Mahdzir said he met Sanusi together with three other senior UMNO leaders — Kedah UMNO secretary Datuk Ariffin Man, Alor Setar UMNO chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Jerlun UMNO chief Datuk Othman Aziz.
He stressed, however, that no discussion was held on the division of seats as it was too early to address the matter, particularly since yesterday’s meeting was not an official engagement.
Mahdzir had previously told reporters at the 2026 UMNO General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur last Friday that he would meet Kedah PAS leaders after the assembly.
Following yesterday’s informal meeting, however, Mahdzir did not indicate when a formal meeting or discussions with the Kedah PAS leadership would take place.
He said he would brief the UMNO central leadership on the informal meeting with the Kedah PAS leadership, adding that the next steps would be worked out after that.
“Whatever decision is to be made will ultimately be decided by the highest leadership of both parties,” he said.