Zahid Says UMNO-PAS Cannot Form an Alliance Unless It “Changes Its Ways”

KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has ruled out any immediate political cooperation with PAS, saying that any future alliance would depend on whether the Islamist party is willing to change its current direction.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday (May 7), Zahid said UMNO would only reconsider working with PAS if there is a significant shift in its approach.

“If they mend their ways, then perhaps we can consider. If they stay the way they are, it’s best to forget about it,” he said.

Zahid also reminded that he was the initiator of the Muafakat Nasional framework, a political cooperation between UMNO and PAS formed in 2019. However, the alliance eventually collapsed after PAS aligned with Bersatu under the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

The remarks come amid renewed political exchanges between the two Malay-Muslim parties. Earlier, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang urged UMNO to reflect on its political choices and “return to the right path,” claiming both parties still share similar Islamic and Malay struggles despite differences in methods and interpretation.

Hadi also noted that while both parties had previously cooperated on issues involving Islam, Malay interests, and national security, PAS’s post-election offer for continued cooperation was rejected by UMNO after the 15th General Election.

Separately, Zahid has previously expressed interest in forming a broader political cooperation involving Malay-Muslim parties under a “grand collaboration” framework. He stressed, however, that such efforts are not aimed at destabilising the current unity government.

“The goal is to unite the spirit of Malay and Muslim political forces within a larger framework,” he said earlier this year, adding that UMNO’s focus remains on strengthening its political agenda rather than toppling the government.