Calling out Umno leaders for triggering the Johor state elections just two months after the Melaka polls, he added that Umno was “undignified and acted unfairly” by leaving out PAS at the same time.

“If there are states where Umno is strong, there are also states where we are strong. So is Bersatu in Sabah. The federal government too is dominated by PN.

“I wish to inform you, do not push for any more state elections. But if you insist on having another one, we will respond with our own strategy. PAS has a million members, 800,000 of whom are active members,” he said in a video posted on Facebook.

However, he did not elaborate any further on his party’s strategy to counter Umno.

The Marang MP also claimed that PAS had “saved” Umno-Barisan Nasional after its defeat in the last general election (GE14), adding that the party’s effort had now been forgotten.

In a rebuke to Umno’s offer of four state seats to PAS in the event of a cooperation in the Johor polls, Hadi said he would not “beg” for seats.

“No discussions have been held yet. But in Melaka, they wanted to give us two seats. Now in Johor, they want to give four. PAS does not need to beg (for seats), as it has its own strengths,” he said.

Hadi also accused Umno’s so-called “court cluster” for triggering the Johor and Melaka elections.

“While these state elections aren’t advisable, we know that the ‘court cluster’ is behind them. This is the cluster that lost in GE14 and holds no positions.

“Not everyone in Umno agrees with them. The ‘court cluster’ just wants to save itself and make life difficult for the people,” he said.

Hadi’s latest statement suggests that the Umno-PAS relationship has become increasingly strained since the two parties established Muafakat Nasional (MN) in 2019 after BN’s defeat in GE14.