The Umno Supreme Council, at a meeting tonight, decided that the PN government in Perak that consists of Umno, PAS and PPBM should continue to be defended,” said Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan in a statement after the meeting.

Supreme Council member Zahidi Zainul Abidin confirmed that Perak Umno chief Saarani Mohamad will be nominated for the menteri besar’s position.

He said the decision was unanimous.

Saarani, who is Kota Tampan assemblyman, was among those reported to have attended tonight’s meeting.

Barisan Nasional secretary-general Annuar Musa said the BN Supreme Council would meet tomorrow, followed by a meeting of the Muafakat Nasional Consultative Council on Wednesday.

“Negotiations are always better, (and) the Perikatan Nasional presidential council should perhaps also meet,” he said. “As comrades, (let’s) resolve this in the best possible way. When we are strong together, we win together … Insyaallah (God willing),” he said in a Twitter posting today.

In recent days, Umno leaders have voiced the possibility of linking up with Pakatan Harapan parties to achieve majority support in the 59-member Perak state assembly. Umno holds 25 seats, five short of a majority. PH holds 24 through the DAP (16), Amanah (five) and PKR (three).

Ahmad Maslan had said earlier that the party’s priority was to form a new state government with PAS, PPBM and other independent parties.