Perak Politics: UMNO's readiness to work with PH a warning to PN - Analyst

KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN)’s readiness to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to form a new Perak State Government can be likened to a warning message to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Ilham Center Executive Director Hisomuddin Bakar said the action would most likely be implemented by UMNO if Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and PAS refused to cooperate to ensure the Menteri Besar candidate was from UMNO.

"This actually puts it to Bersatu and PAS that UMNO is ready even though it was said before that they put the 'No DAP' narrative.

"I can see this as a warning message to Bersatu and PAS if they do not submit to negotiating with UMNO and accept the proposal to change the Menteri Besar amicably and the Perikatan Nasional government is maintained," he said when contacted by Astro AWANI.

Earlier, UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported to have said that UMNO and BN would look into all possibilities, including working with parties in Pakatan Harapan.

However, the Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament stressed that as far as possible, there was no need for a new political alignment, instead maintaining the previous formula, namely cooperation between Barisan Nasional and the Perikatan Nasional.

On Friday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the party had decided not to participate in the effort to form a new Perak State Government.

At the same time, Bersatu Secretary-General Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said his party regretted the situation that took place in Perak.

Commenting further, Hisomuddin said the situation in Perak has the potential to be a trigger or have an impact on the Perikatan Nasional government at the Federal level.

He said if the issue was not addressed properly, it will also likely cause the relationship between UMNO and PAS in Muafakat Nasional to crack.

"I do not dismiss if the response from Bersatu and PAS is not positive.

“This matter will be discussed by the UMNO Supreme Council to take political measures, then of course it will have an effect on the cooperation between the Perikatan Nasional and BN at the Federal government level.

"In fact, there is also the possibility that the impact will hit several state governments such as Johor, Melaka, Kedah and Sabah," he added.