UMNO and PAS: It’s complicated

The marriage between UMNO and PAS witnessed an unexpected plot twist when Datuk Seri Hadi Awang called off the wedding despite being engaged to each other.

Earlier on March 6, UMNO acting president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced that UMNO and PAS had “tied the knot”.

The “marriage” was announced shortly after BN’s victory over the past two by-elections, Cameron Highlands (January 26, 2019) and Semenyih (March 2, 2019).

The “engagement ring” was said to be sent (merisik) when their partnership was initiated at Sungai Kandis (August 4, 2018). Then, the ‘engagement’ (bertunang) took place at Seri Setia (September 8, 2018).

However, PH managed to retain every seat contested in the by-elections, until the battle for Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat.

“It begins here,” said UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin who had just witnessed the victory of BN in Cameron Highland by-election through UMNO-PAS union.

Flash-forward to today (March 19, 2019), Hadi Awang has come forward to deny the marriage, claiming that such ties could be “incestuous” since UMNO and PAS are like siblings.

Looking at the situation, it seems like PAS and UMNO union did not receive blessings from the elder. If the marriage is ruled out, will the United Ummah Government plan be actualized?