SEREMBAN: The final decision on Barisan Nasional’s continued collaboration with Pakatan Harapan in the next general election rests with Barisan’s supreme council, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The Umno deputy president said that whatever decision taken by Barisan had always been reached through consensus.

“That has always been our standard operating procedure,” Mohamad told reporters after opening the Rembau Umno annual general meeting here.

Mohamad said the matter would be deliberated extensively within the Barisan supreme council to dispel confusion among its component parties.

“I am also certain that Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will bring this up for discussion in our meeting.

“The decision has to be a collective one. Until a decision is made, many people will speculate,” he said.

On June 30, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, had said that Barisan would continue its cooperation with Pakatan leading up to the 16th General Election.

He said after opening a Maran Umno division meeting in Pahang that both Barisan and Pakatan would contest under their respective logos, with Barisan refraining from contesting in areas where Pakatan is competing.

Following Ahmad Zahid’s announcement, the secretaries-general of MCA and MIC said that Barisan component parties were not consulted over the matter.

Mohamad acknowledged the concerns and said the component parties could always raise the matter at the next meeting of the Barisan supreme council.

“It is better to make an early decision so that all component party members will know rather than speculate,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/08/supreme-council-to-decide-fate-of-bn-ph-pact