PUTRAJAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) should be concerned about rumours of Umno and Pas collaborating in the next general election, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also PKR information chief, said that many Pas members had expressed a desire for the party to contest in the upcoming Nenggiri by-election.
In response to whether Pakatan Harapan (PH) is worried about these rumours and their potential impact on the unity government pact, he said: "What we do know now is that Umno's top leadership has stated that there were no meetings between the two parties.
"(And) I believe whatever it is, Bersatu should be worried sick as many (in Pas) are hoping that its member will contest in Nenggiri.
"Hence, the most worried (party) right now should be Bersatu as they know that they are a liability to Pas and Perikatan Nasional," he added.
Yesterday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said any meetings between Umno and Pas leaders were done in a personal capacity and not officially between the two parties.
Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, denied holding any talks with Pas and that no leaders from the Islamist party had met with him.
"Pas leaders did not meet with me. Perhaps if there were (any meetings) they were done in a personal capacity and not formally," he said.
Previously, there were reports of discussions between Umno and Pas leaders to collaborate for the 16th General Election (GE16).
This comes after Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari disclosed that there had been frequent meetings with Umno recently.
He claimed that these meetings were conducted informally involving key leaders of both parties, which were seen as having the potential to reunite the severely fragmented Malay voters.
Zahid, on July 8, said the party would not cooperate with Pas as long as Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang remains the party president.
He said this was decided based on Umno's previous experience cooperating with Pas.