Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz has shot down suggestions of a coalition between Umno and PAS, stating that this would likely lead to the two parties fighting over seats in the general election.

“I think there is no need for it; we go on our respective directions.

“Or else when there is a general election, there would be a scramble for seats.

“Seats that Umno are contesting, they (PAS) will want to contest too and as a result, there will be a quarrel,” he told journalists in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, Nazri said this did not mean he was rejecting PAS’ friendly overtures.

He added that ordinary cooperation between the two political parties would suffice.

“We must remember that ... everyone have their ambition to form the government and we have to tread carefully,” said the Umno supreme council member.

Nazri was asked to respond to Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Deputy Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman who had raised the possibility of an Umno-PAS coalition.

He said this would pose a serious threat to the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan.

Previously, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had said the party was open to cooperating with Umno but had dismissed the possibility of a political coalition.