KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has refused to entertain speculation on its political relationship with Umno, including the possibility of the Barisan Nasional backbone party striking out on its own in the Melaka election without the involvement of the Islamic party via Muafakat Nasional (MN)
Pas vice-president Idris Ahmad said the focus of the party now was to ensure that Pakatan Harapan (PH) could no longer return to power in the state.
"So far, the decision from the MT (Umno Supreme Council) has not been mentioned, so we have adopted the official stand.
"Don't provoke and try to divide us. Pas's stand (in the election) is to ensure that PH does not regain power in Melaka," he said.
Idris told this to reporters after officiating the 2021 Federal Territory State Level Maulidur Rasul Celebration at the Federal Territory Mosque, here, today.
Also present were the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail and the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Daud Bakar.
The political cooperation between Pas and Umno through MN has yet to be finalised, believed to be because of the BN component party's opposition to Pas's cooperation with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Last week, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a talk show, hinted that the MN political cooperation may not be realised in the Melaka election.
He had said MN was never registered, therefore he said Umno should be left to contest the polls solo under the BN banner.
Idris, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), declined to answer when asked about the seats Pas will contest in the Melaka polls.
"Stop by at the candidates' nomination centre later, you (media) will see where Pas is contesting," he said tongue-in-cheek.
Yesterday, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had reiterated the party's readiness to continue negotiating with allied parties in MN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in facing the Melaka election to prevent a three-cornered fight involving political allies.
MN is a political pact involving Umno and Pas, whereas PN involves Pas, Bersatu, STAR Sabah, SAPP and Gerakan.
The Melaka state election is being held following the dissolution of the state assembly after four government lawmakers announced their withdrawal of support from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
The quartet are Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent-Pengkalan Batu) and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas).
Idris, Nor Azman and Noor Effandi have since been sacked by their respective parties for their actions.
The Election Commission has set Nov 20 as the polling day for the Melaka state election, while the nomination day is Nov 8 and early voting is on Nov 16.