Nazri says Umno-PAS cooperation would marginalise party in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis with no seats
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno would be better off dissolving its party chapters in Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis if it chooses to cooperate with PAS and Bersatu, said former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
He stressed that such a move would only marginalise the party further as Umno currently does not hold any seats in several states under the so-called SG4 bloc, and any electoral cooperation with PAS would effectively shut Umno out due to existing seat-allocation realities.
“If we want to cooperate with PAS and Bersatu, then we might as well close down Kelantan Umno, Terengganu Umno and Perlis Umno,” said Nazri, who is also the Padang Rengas Umno division chief.
“We don’t have any seats there. You know how the formula works, whoever won in GE15 will continue contesting those seats. So what’s the point for Umno?” he added.
Nazri that partnering PAS would not strengthen Umno, but instead reduce its relevance in states where the Islamist party already dominates.
Nazri also defended Umno’s continued participation in the federal unity government, saying calls from some grassroots leaders, including the Umno Youth wing, for the party to leave the government were unrealistic.
“Politics is about power, and right now we have power. It is ridiculous for us to leave just because of pressure. If we leave now, maybe next month PAS will enter the government. What’s the point then?”
“We are not stupid. Yes, Umno Youth has played its role in bringing up grassroots sentiment, and we should respect that. But leadership must take it as a sign to work harder, not to make rash decisions.”
Nazri said Umno leaders must instead focus on explaining to party members and supporters why remaining in government is necessary, even while cooperating with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“We are working with PH. It just so happens that DAP is part of the coalition.”
Touching on Umno’s declining voter support despite an increase in party membership, Nazri said membership numbers should not be used as the main indicator of strength.
“An increase in members does not translate into votes. Look at DAP and PKR — their membership is not as big as ours, but they still win many seats.”
He stressed that Umno’s main task is to rebuild trust on the ground.
“There is no shortcut. We must go down, work hard, and restore public confidence.”
Addressing perceptions that Umno has lost Malay support due to its cooperation with DAP, Nazri rejected racial-based politics.
“PAS was the first Malay party to work with DAP. How come they can get away with it but we can’t? There must be something wrong somewhere, and this is something we must address.”
On electoral cooperation, Nazri said once a partnership exists at the federal level, it should ideally be mirrored at the state level to ensure smoother governance.
“If we already cooperate at the federal level, it’s better to align at the state level as well. It makes work easier.”
However, he stressed that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) would contest the next state elections using their own logo, as stated by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“We cooperate with PH, not DAP. The president has already said we will go solo, meaning we will use our own logo.”
Nazri clarified that while BN would contest independently, there could still be a form of mutual understanding with PH to avoid multi-cornered fights.
“No, we don’t need PH’s support to contest. We will go solo. But there must be an understanding where BN contests, PH should not. That kind of cooperation, like in Sabah.”
Nazri said Umno must prioritise national unity over racial sentiment.
“I don’t believe in racial politics. If we want to win elections by playing Malay racial sentiment, there will be no future.
This is a Malaysian government, not just a Malay or Islamic government. We must face the people and show we are on the right path.”
