KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 -- Barisan Nasional's cooperation with Perikatan Nasional in the Negeri Sembilan state election is only a political understanding and does not amount to a formal agreement, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said.

According to Utusan Malaysia, Ahmad said there was no formal pact at the state level, leaving Umno and BN free to determine the strategies they considered best to remain relevant and win the election.

"At the state level, there is no agreement. That is why we are free to determine the best strategy and approach to ensure Umno and BN remain relevant and win," he was quoted as saying after opening the Cheras Umno division delegates' meeting last night.

Ahmad said the parties should first c...