Penang Umno has expressed strong objections towards the newly formed Penang Front Party (PFP), despite the latter party's claims that it is “BN-friendly”.

"Their plan to contest in 25 seats where BN component parties (Gerakan and MCA) other than Umno are contesting is clearly against the concept of a BN-friendly party," said state Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman in a statement today.

"A BN-friendly party will never ever field a candidate against a BN one.

"How can Penang Umno support PFP which clearly goes against the principles and the spirit of camaraderie held by BN parties?”

Zainal's remark comes after the Chinese-dominant PFP reportedly said it was planning to contest the 25 seats against DAP, giving voters an alternative to MCA and Gerakan, which failed to obtain any seats in the 2008 and 2013 national polls.

PFP pro-tem chairperson Lee Poh Kong had reportedly said the party also intends to obtain approval from Putrajaya for a casino – an idea opposed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng – to boost the tourism industry in Penang.

It was also reported that Umno Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin is PFP's adviser, although he is not a member of the new party.

Zainal chided Zahidi for his advisery post in PFP, saying it was never discussed in Umno's supreme council meetings, of which the former is a member.

The matter was also not raised at the Penang Umno liason committee meetings, Zainal said.

"There is no endorsement or agreement from either body for Zahidi to be PFP's adviser, his involvement does not represent Umno, he did it in his own capacity.

"We regret that Zahidi allowed himself to be used by PFP which can undermine the long held cooperation and understanding between the BN parties.”

Zainal said Zahidi's role in PFP is "unethical and inappropriate" for an Umno parliamentarian.

Zahidi should be more "sensitive and alert" to the needs of Muslims in Penang who would object to the plan of a casino in the state, he added.

"This casino plan is PFP's own and has nothing to do with Umno," Zainal said.