The PAS-Bersatu split came as no surprise and carries important lessons for coalition-building in Malaysian politics, Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said.
Zahid was quoted by The Star as saying in Putrajaya that the split underscores the principle that political alliances should not be driven solely by political calculations but must be grounded in sincerity and the broader goals of national development.
"We in Umno had expected this to happen. This was a political assessment based on the belief that any collaboration must be founded on sincerity and free from elements of betrayal," Zahid said. "Such cooperation must be built for the long term so that national objectives can be achieved and unity among the people can be strengthened."
Zahid's remarks came after PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced on Monday that the party's central working committee had decided to terminate political cooperation with Bersatu.
On the 4 June meeting between Umno and PAS, Zahid described it as a positive development that should be followed by further efforts, clarifying that the meeting was an initiative by both parties' leaderships to resolve several issues and was not focused on a political agenda.
"If it is related to politics, it will certainly be further refined because we in Umno remain in the unity government that is currently formed. That is our principle, and that principle must be respected," he said.
Separately, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin dismissed suggestions that Umno played a role in the PAS-Bersatu fallout, telling reporters in Kuala Lumpur that Umno was not responsible for the fallout between the two parties.
At another event, Zahid confirmed that Barisan Nasional would contest all seats in the Negeri Sembilan state election. Both Johor and Negeri Sembilan assemblies were dissolved on 8 June, paving the way for polls expected within 60 days.
Zahid's public comments represent the most senior government response to the PAS-Bersatu split to date, signalling that the unity government views the opposition realignment with caution but sees no immediate threat to its stability. His emphasis on sincerity and long-term national objectives echoes earlier remarks closing the door on any revival of Muafakat Nasional, the Umno-PAS pact that collapsed in 2022.
Sources: The Star
