KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional secretary-general Annuar Musa says negotiations between Umno and PAS for seat allocations in the next elections are still ongoing, dismissing claims that discussions were over after the latter joined Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He said the next level of discussions will be between the BN and PN coalitions, adding that negotiations with other component parties, like MCA, MIC and PBRS, will also be completed first.
“Negotiations with PAS are still going on but the next stage would be the coalition stage. Umno is in BN and PAS is in PN, so first we will discuss at the party level.
“Umno will meet PAS, MCA, MIC and PBRS separately.
“Like us, PN also has four parties, so the next stage of discussions will be between the coalitons,” he said when met at an event today.
Annuar was commenting on Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s recent statement that all direct negotiations on seats for the 15th general election would be done with PN and not with PAS, since the Islamist party was now a part of the coalition.
Asyraf’s comments followed the decision of party leaders in the PN government to form a presidential council.
Annuar said what Asyraf actually meant was not entirely reported by the media, causing the misunderstanding.
“He was referring to the final negotiations because we respect PAS’ position as a member of PN. In negotiations between BN and PN, PAS is also involved but through PN, while Umno is involved through BN,” he said.