KUALA LUMPUR: Both Umno and Pas have denied discussions between their leaders to form a collaboration.
There were reports earlier of discussions between Umno and Pas leaders on collaborating for the 16th general election (GE16), quoting Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.
He however later clarified that the discussions were done informally.
In a Facebook post, Fadhli said he was not authorised to make such an important decision in Perikatan Nasional (PN) and also Pas.
"I agree with the statement by Umno secretary-general, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki who denied having such discussions between the two parties.
"And l also did not mention such discussions have existed. I am not in a position to make such an important decision.
"What l have told the reporters who asked me the question of whether l have met Umno leaders and my answer to them is that of course, we have met several times in the Parliament lobby, at weddings, at the airport and other places.
"When we met, we talked...that's all. I also told them the meetings were informal and we had 'normal talks' and it is not nice for me to mention the names of those involved in the meetings," he said.
Earlier, Umno secretary-general, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, earlier said such discussions might have occurred among members or supporters but not among leaders of the parties.
"I am the secretary-general of Umno, and I do not know. If you want to discuss it, you must discuss it with the leadership. If they're going to discuss it, they can discuss it with members.
He was speaking at a press conference of the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan (BN-PH) Coordination Meeting for the Nenggiri state assembly by-election in Kelantan at Menara Dato' Onn, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) here yesterday.