MUAR, Nov 15 — Voting for Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong would be tantamount to sending PAS and its president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, to Putrajaya, said DAP’s Ayer Hitam candidate, Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali.

The former Paloh state assemblyman’s statement was in response to comments by PAS secretary-general, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, indicating that an alliance government between BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) would be the likely outcome of Saturday’s national vote.

Berita Harian reported Takiyuddin as saying that PN is willing to negotiate with any political entity other than PH, and that its “first reference” is BN.

Muhyiddin leads Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), seen as the lynchpin of the PN coalition. The other components are PAS, Gerakan, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Sabah Progressive Party.

“It seems crystal clear. PN is supposedly campaigning to form a clean and stable government, but apparently, it intends to form a government with BN, which is riddled with corruption; therefore, voting for PN is the same as voting for BN.

“People of Ayer Hitam, don’t waste your vote on PN. Tirelessly support PN to fight BN… and in the end, PN joins BN.

“Vote for MCA, get PAS. Vote for Wee Ka Siong, get Haji Hadi!” Sheikh Umar said, calling on voters to cast their ballots in favour of Pakatan Harapan (PH) instead.

Earlier today, PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that he never assigned Takiyuddin to negotiate with BN on forming a government on the coalition’s behalf, post-15th general election (GE15).

The former prime minister, who is defending his Pagoh parliamentary seat in Johor, said that PN is contesting the election to form its own government, free from BN and PH.