Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has openly called for a PAS-Umno merger at a rally organised by the two parties.

"Dear (PAS president) Abdul Hadi Awang, God willing, under my leadership, let us bercantum (merge).

"Let us merge, let us set aside our differences in the name of Islam, Malays, Malaysia and bumiputera," Zahid said to applause from the crowd in Pasir Salak, Perak last night...