PAS is PN founding member, Muhyiddin says BN left with three parties after 'divorce'

Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin today hit back at claims of rocky ties between Bersatu and PAS, pointing out how it was BN who went through a major "divorce" and is now left with only three component parties.

Speaking to reporters in Johor Bahru, Muhyiddin stressed that unlike claims by BN, PAS is a PN founding partner together with Bersatu, followed by Gerakan and others in West Malaysia.

"Don’t simply make such statements. PAS is a founding partner of PN, and Gerakan joined later along with Sabah and Sarawak parties.

"So this (PN) is not a 'contract marriage'. He said that because we're growing stronger," said Muhyiddin in response to reported remarks by Umno vice-president Mahdzir Khalid earlier today.

Malay-daily Utusan Malaysia earlier quoted Mahdzir as likening ties between Bersatu and PAS to a temporary "contract marriage", after PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s initial statement hinting at a possible post-election PN-BN government.

However, this was shortly followed by a press release issued in his name on PAS’ official Facebook, claiming that his original statement "was taken out of context and given a title that is also confusing voters”.

"BN is the one who went through murafakah, a divorce. It used to have 14 components but is now left with three," said Muhyiddin, alluding to the departure of BN's Sabah and Sarawak components after its historic defeat in the 14th general election.

'PN to stand on its own'

Asked about PN's stand in the event of a hung parliament where no single coalition can form a government on its own, Muhyiddin declined to comment, saying that to declare such a position in the midst of campaigning would be tantamount to admitting defeat.

"We will not answer that now. We can't speculate. I hope there will be a wave of voters coming out, if that happens, if a large number of Malay voters come out, PN stands a chance.

"So I will not comment on that (hung parliament) until something happens," said Muhyiddin who is defending his Pagoh parliament seat.

"If that happens, then we know what to do. For me, once we say we want to fight on our own single platform, PN, there is no more talk of cosying up to BN or Pakatan Harapan.

"We stand on our own. We fight on our own strength," he said.

Muhyiddin earlier stumped for PN's Johor Bahru candidate Mohd Mohtaj Yacob at the Taman Sri Stulang food court, addressing a crowd of over 100 people comprising party machinery, PN supporters and residents of the nearby low-cost housing project.

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