Umno information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said PAS should not worry about Umno as it was experiencing a similar situation as PAS before.

Shamsul's statement came after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang earlier today said it was difficult for PAS to join forces with Umno as the latter was now a “sinking ship” and could take the Islamist party down with it.

"To the PAS leadership, there is no need to worry about Umno as what Umno is experiencing is similar to the exodus of leaders from PAS when Amanah was set up in the past.

"Even though there is Amanah, PAS remained strong. Similarly, even though a number of Umno elected representatives have left the party, we are confident that Umno will remain as it is.

"Umno will continue to hold on to its ideology and be a champion of the people's interests and we will surely wrest back those seats," he said in a statement today.

Shamsul, who is also the Lenggong MP, said Umno will always be the better choice despite its splinter Bersatu claiming to be a bumiputera party.

"The departure of a number of MPs and assemblypersons from Umno cannot be used as a yardstick to claim that Umno is paralysed as other members, apart from their hardcore supporters, have not followed them," he said.

He added that there was no point retaining elected representatives who were no longer loyal or committed to the party.

"Umno members should not worry about the changes undertaken by the party.

"Umno wants to return to power as the government, therefore, all quarters should focus and support the leadership," he said.