Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has dismissed suggestions that his party played any role in PAS' decision to sever cooperation with Bersatu, as the fallout from the split continues to reshape the political landscape ahead of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, the former Johor Menteri Besar responded with characteristic candour when asked about the development that has sent shockwaves through the opposition camp.
"As long as they don't blame Umno," Khaled said in jest, before adding: "They usually like accusing that this is Umno's work. Umno is a good party lah."
The remarks came a day after PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced the termination of political cooperation with Bersatu, citing the need for unity and political stability within the broader Malay-Muslim political spectrum.
Hadi also signalled that PAS is now open to forming new political understandings or electoral pacts that unite the ummah ahead of the 16th General Election, raising speculation about a potential revival of the Muafakat Nasional framework with Umno.
Despite ending cooperation with Bersatu, PAS has confirmed it will remain within the Perikatan Nasional coalition for now, according to party information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who said the decision was based on "unity and political stability considerations."
Election implications
The split has immediate consequences for the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, where the opposition bloc now faces a more fragmented landscape. Bersatu, under the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, had counted on PAS as its principal partner in contesting against both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.
With BN already declaring it will contest solo in Negeri Sembilan after Pakatan Harapan laid claim to all 36 state seats, and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirming that Muafakat Nasional will not be revived, the election is now shaping up as a multi-cornered fight.
Khaled, who served as Johor Menteri Besar from 2013 to 2018 and remains a key figure in Umno's Johor machinery, is well-placed to assess the impact. Umno has postponed all internal delegates meetings to focus entirely on the Johor campaign, signalling the state's strategic importance to the party.
Pakatan Harapan, meanwhile, has completed its seat negotiations at the secretariat level, with DAP confirming it will contest 17 seats in Johor and defend 11 in Negeri Sembilan. The coalition is now shifting its focus to election machinery preparation.
The Election Commission is expected to set key dates for both state polls soon, with the Negeri Sembilan vote anticipated by early August following the formal dissolution of the state assembly last week.
Analysts note that the PAS-Bersatu split could inadvertently benefit BN in traditional Malay heartland seats, where a divided opposition typically reduces the anti-establishment vote share. However, Umno has cautioned against over-optimism, with Khaled noting that the party must still prove its relevance to voters rather than rely on opposition infighting.
