'Some in Umno undermining BN' - Hadi's claim on BN-Harapan pact

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is the latest to board the bandwagon serenading voters with the tune of a possible pact between Umno and Pakatan Harapan after the 15th general election.

Hadi claimed that certain quarters in Umno were working against BN to ensure that Harapan wins, so as to facilitate a partnership between the two coalitions to form the next government.

“We have information that there are certain quarters in Umno who want to undermine BN’s chances of winning, so as to increase Harapan’s prospects,” he told the media in Alor Setar, Kedah, last night.

Without mentioning names, Hadi (above) said the motive for this alliance was not to safeguard the people’s interests but “to free oneself”.

However, he did not elaborate.

The PAS president, who attended the announcement of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates for Kedah, stressed that his coalition would not align itself with Harapan. 

Previously, the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) movement headed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad questioned whether Harapan leader Anwar Ibrahim and BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing corruption charges, would form an alliance.

Yesterday, Umno again denied that its candidates were made to sign a document that pledges support for moves to collaborate with other parties to form the government, support Zahid as the prime minister and end all investigations against Umno leaders.

The document, which has been deemed to be fake, has been circulating on social media.

In August, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke did not rule out the possibility of Harapan working with Umno.

DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng is also embroiled in a corruption case involving the Penang undersea tunnel.

On a separate matter, Hadi said the PAS leadership has not received any proposal from Perlis PAS to field Shahidan Kassim as PN’s candidate to defend his Arau federal seat for a fifth term.

However, Hadi said, the coalition would want a “winnable” candidate.

Umno has replaced Shahidan, the outgoing federal territories minister, with Rozabil Abdul Rahman, who is the Arau Umno Youth chief, to contest the Arau seat, much to the veteran’s chagrin.

Refusing to sit on the sidelines, Shahidan has decided to contest for the Arau seat, but is still contemplating what party symbol to use.

PSM to contest in only BN strongholds, not targeting Harapan seats

Batu seat: 6 and counting, Tian Chua gets poetic

Give us clear majority for GE15, Anwar appeals to fence-sitters

Harapan list finalised, Anwar says after BN reveals candidates

C4 urges politicians facing corruption cases not to run for GE15

Jamal, KJ and Zafrul to make Selangor debut

COMMENT | Before the contest begins - some early thoughts