Penang Umno liaison chief Zainal Abidin Osman refuted allegations that the party’s operations rooms had been shut due to the on-going discontent over BN’s candidacy list.

NONE “So far no operations centre has been shut down. If they seem closed, it is because our party workers are working during the day, they would later open it in the evenings,” said Zainal Abidin ( left ) when met on his campaign trail in Nibong Tebal today.

“No party posters or flags have been torn as well. If among 200 party workers, only 10 are sulky, the operation centres will still be open with much excitement as the campaign period draws near,” he added.

“We will go full swing on April 20, nomination day. These issues will be settled soon as we are on a persuasion movement to calm down our supporters who are upset with the list,” he assured.

Zainal was responding to allegations  that 70 percent of the operations centres had been shut down due to protests among supporters of the incumbents who were dropped from the list announced on Tuesday.

The dissatisfaction among supporters and failed incumbents have resulted in spontaneous protests in several constituencies including Tasek Gelugor (parliament), and state seats Seberang Jaya and Bagan Dalam.

Several BN leaders - former Tasek Gelugor MP Shariff Omar and former Batu Kawan BN coordinator A Mohan have decided to quit their parties and contest as independents.

NONE Two others - Machang Bubok BN coordinator Ooi Suan Hoe and state MIC Youth chief J Dhinagaran ( right ) - are also contemplating a similar move.

Zainal played down the alleged infighting and factionalism within the party, saying, “It is normal and has has happened in 12 other general elections.

“This is not the worst. In fact it is a good sign that people are showing interest  in our party, it shows the party is winnable,” he added.

“What is happening in DAP and PKR is worse, just wait and see in one or two days,” he said.

‘Those who go independent will be expelled’

However, he warned that those who go independent will be expelled by the party.

He urged Shariff, who has served for 22 years in the party, to come to his senses and help the party instead of deserting it.

“When he was contesting, we helped him to win. It is not wrong for him now to help us in return, after all the candidates in Tasek Gelugor were his disciples,” Zainal said of the former Penang deputy chief minister.

“However, if he continues to fight as an independent, we will fight him all the way and will terminate his membership,” Zainal warned.

“We will still use the diplomatic approach to talk to him but we hope he has a big heart and give way to his junior to contest in his former seat,” stressed Zainal.