‘Not at That Stage Yet’ – Sanusi Responds to PAS-UMNO Seat Allocation Issue

ALOR SETAR: Kedah PAS and UMNO have yet to discuss seat allocation or any form of formal cooperation during a meeting involving the leadership of both parties.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the meeting was still at an early stage and focused more on fostering a harmonious atmosphere before more serious political negotiations take place.

Muhammad Sanusi, who is also Kedah PAS Deputy Commissioner I, said it was still too early to discuss the allocation of seats in preparation for an election.

“When certain decisions regarding cooperation between the two parties are made at the central level, we will meet again,” he said after receiving a courtesy visit from UMNO leaders at the Menteri Besar’s official residence in Seri Mentaloon on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting was attended by two former Kedah Menteris Besar, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah; Kedah BN War Room Director Datuk Othman Aziz; and Kedah UMNO Liaison Committee Secretary Datuk Ariffin Man.

PAS was represented by Kedah PAS Commissioner and PAS Central Ulama Council Chief Datuk Ahmad Yahya, Kedah PAS Deputy Commissioner II Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Sheikh Fakhrurazi and Kedah PAS Secretary Musoddaq Ahmad.

Sanusi, who is also PAS Election Director-General, said any form of cooperation between the two parties would have to be decided at the central level, while the state leadership would abide by the decision made.

“I would like to thank all the UMNO veterans who visited the Menteri Besar’s official residence. We chatted and shared our past experiences and expectations for the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mahdzir described the meeting as a preliminary step towards paving the way for further discussions between the two parties.

“We exchanged views on the state, state politics and how the two Malay parties in Kedah could establish cooperation.

“I would describe it as a good and positive meeting, with both sides sharing their respective views in a harmonious atmosphere,” he said.

He also confirmed that no specific matters, including seat allocation, were discussed during the meeting.

“We have not reached that stage yet regarding seats. We did not specifically discuss anything, and there were no detailed issues. All that will come at the next stage, later,” he said.

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