KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has made clear that its rivalry with Bersatu is nothing new, confirming that the two parties will once again clash in the Melaka state election.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the rivalry predated the cancellation of Perikatan Nasional's registration, with both parties having already contested against each other under their own logos.
"There has been no cooperation between Pas and Bersatu since the Johor and Negri Sembilan elections, and we have contested against each other because Bersatu used its own logo.
"We will certainly face each other in the Melaka election as well," he told the New Straits Times.
Tuan Ibrahim said the electoral understanding between Pas and Umno, which had been in place since the Negri Sembilan state election, would continue in Melaka.
"We have had an understanding with Umno since the Negri Sembilan state election, and there will also be an understanding in Melaka.
"Seat allocation will be finalised before nomination day," he said.
He also confirmed that Pas was prepared to contest under its own party symbol.
"We are now ready to use the Pas logo in the Melaka state election," he said.
His remarks come amid predictions that PN's deregistration could trigger open hostility between Pas and Bersatu, with analysts suggesting the coalition's dissolution had removed the last restraint on their rivalry.
International Islamic University Malaysia political scientist Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri said the two parties had previously sought to preserve their cooperation under PN despite contesting against each other.
"They've already clashed in Johor and Negri Sembilan, but previously, they were trying to defend their cooperation in PN.
"Pas has been clear about not working with Bersatu. So now, Bersatu can retaliate," she said.
Syaza said Bersatu stood to lose the most, as its party logo was less familiar to voters.
The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on Sept 23, with polling scheduled for Nov 14.
PN, which was formed in 2020 following the Sheraton Move, had its registration cancelled under subparagraph 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966.
The Registrar of Societies said the coalition's representations submitted on Oct 12 had failed to refute the grounds for cancellation outlined in its Sept 22 notice.
The Election Commission has fixed Oct 31 for nominations and Nov 10 for early voting.
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