UMNO confirms delegation to PAS Muktamar

KOTA BHARU, 23 AUGUST 2026 —

UMNO to Send Delegates to PAS’ 72nd Annual Congress in Kota Bharu

Zahid, speaking to reporters after officiating the World Islamic Tourism and Trade Expo (WITEX) and the World Arts and Culture Festival in Kuala Lumpur, said UMNO had decided to participate in the event but had yet to finalise its delegates. “We will indeed send representatives to the congress,” he stated.

The move follows an official invitation extended by PAS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan on Aug. 20, inviting senior UMNO leaders to attend the congress, which will be officiated by PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang on Sept. 4.

The participation marks a notable development in Malaysia’s political landscape, where UMNO and PAS have historically been key players in the Malay-Muslim political bloc. UMNO, a dominant force in Malaysian politics since independence, has in recent years sought to strengthen ties with PAS amid shifting electoral dynamics and the rise of new political coalitions.

The congress, held annually, serves as a platform for PAS to outline its policy priorities and organisational direction for the coming year.

The decision to attend comes as both parties navigate Malaysia’s evolving political terrain, including the aftermath of the 2022 general election, which saw the Pakatan Harapan coalition regain federal power. UMNO, part of the opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition, has been positioning itself for future electoral contests, including potential state-level realignments in Kelantan, a PAS stronghold.

While UMNO’s attendance signals a willingness to engage with PAS at an institutional level, the absence of named delegates suggests internal deliberations are still ongoing. Political observers note that such participation could pave the way for broader cooperation, particularly on issues of common interest such as Islamic governance, social policies, and rural development.

The congress itself is expected to draw significant attention, with delegates from across Malaysia gathering to discuss PAS’ strategic direction under Abdul Hadi Awang’s leadership. The event will also feature policy debates, organisational reports, and leadership engagements, reflecting PAS’ role as a major component of Malaysia’s Islamist political movement.

For Malaysia’s political observers, the move underscores the fluid nature of alliances in the country’s multi-party system. While UMNO and PAS have collaborated in the past—most in the 2018-2020 Pakatan Harapan government and later in the opposition bloc—any formal cooperation remains contingent on mutual political calculations.

The congress is scheduled to conclude on Sept. 5, with outcomes expected to influence both parties’ strategies ahead of the next general election, which must be held by August 2028.

Related: Zahid Hamidi · Kota Bharu