KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan expressed confidence today in a Perikatan Nasional victory at the 15th general election, after suggesting his party would join with Barisan Nasional to form the next government.

According to Berita Harian, the PAS leader said BN was the only viable choice for his party in the event there was no winner with a clear majority after voting was over.

“Our stance is clear. We will combine with BN and not Pakatan Harapan and their component parties.

“For us or any other coalition, they will form the government when they obtain a simple majority of 112 seats. If they are unable to do so, then they will combine with others. PAS’ stance is clear,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian in Kota Baru.

Takiyuddin subsequently issued a press release to insist he has “full confidence” that PN would be able to form a government of its own and appoint a prime minister from among its leaders.

He said this in response to news reports of him saying PN would negotiate with any other political entity apart from PH, and that its “first reference” is BN.

“I would like to stress here that my statement had been taken out of context and the news report heading was confusing.

“Therefore, any statements on cooperation with BN do not arise and we in PN are confident of forming the government alone post-GE15,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

His statement was technically correct as he reportedly said PAS would partner with BN, and not that PN would do so.

Berita Harian yesterday reported the PAS politician indicating that an alliance government is very likely to form after the Saturday vote.

“PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang did mention that if we are unable to join forces before GE15, maybe after GE15 we can do so.

“Our first reference is BN but any discussion on the matter has yet to take place throughout the ongoing election campaign but I am confident BN will be acceptable,” he was quoted as saying.

In response, PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he never authorised Takiyuddin to negotiate with BN on government formation post-GE15.

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

“As chairman of Perikatan Nasional, I never gave the mandate to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, secretary-general of PAS, to negotiate with Barisan Nasional for the purpose of forming a government after GE15,” Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin previously declared BN his coalition’s main rival.