Zahid: BN wants early polls to stop Harapan's inciting campaign

BN wants an early general election to put a stop to Pakatan Harapan's ongoing nationwide campaign to discredit the ruling coalition, said its chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Bagan Datuk MP, who was labelled as “selfish” for insisting on an early election this year, reminded the opposition and non-BN parties that the 1999 general election was held in November.

"It is clear that Harapan and non-BN parties have embarked on nationwide political campaign and the remaining time before the dissolution of Parliament is best used by the BN enemies," Zahid (above), who is the Umno president, said in a statement.

"They continue to discredit BN and this is reflected in PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli's remark that their job is to incite the people to hate BN.

"The opposition also incited the people by claiming that holding a general election this year will expose them to floods. They forget that their last former PM Mahathir (Mohamad) himself held a general election in November 1999 and it was not a big issue.

"Most recently last year, Sarawak state election was held on Dec 18, 2021. The opposition lost badly," he added.

Zahid, however, said the opposition is afraid of fighting a losing battle knowing that public confidence in Harapan was low.

“That's why they need time to incite the people not to vote for BN. The Harapan nationwide campaign is still on its way and is expected to end in February next year.

"BN will not give political life to Harapan and BN's enemies to give them the advantage of completing the tour of discrediting BN until next year," he said, adding that Harapan should be punished by the people for its empty promises in the next polls.

Zahid is ‘heartless’

Yesterday, Klang MP Charles Santiago lambasted Zahid for prioritising the holding of a general election even if there will be floods.

Amanah said it was “heartless” for the Umno president to say BN was prepared to go to the polls if it is held during the monsoon season later this year.

Elaborating further, Zahid said BN needs to prove that Harapan's incitement will not work this time and the opposition was only selling hope with all its empty promises.

He said BN has to be realistic instead of being populist like Harapan in its 2018 manifesto.

"As a stable political coalition with extensive experience, BN is not a populist (coalition) and sells hope like Harapan. What is promised is realistic that can be achieved based on the current economic performance.

"BN can be a populist party with promises such as free tolls, and free education like what Harapan did in its false manifesto. But BN is not like that,” he added.

Similarly, Zahid said it is not rational to abolish the National Higher Education Corporation Fund (PTPTN) loans and provide free higher education.

"Providing free education at universities is a populist act when we need revenue to pay the remuneration of lecturers and supporting staff, to maintain universities, to subscribe reference materials at the libraries and to further improve the learning and teaching on the campus," he said.

PM's hint clearly shows GE15 will be held this year: Umno sec-gen

Seats MIC contested in GE14 will remain with party in GE15 - Zahid

Anti-hopping: Amanah reps who rebel automatically 'quit' under new rule

Nurul Izzah keen to defend Permatang Pauh seat in GE15

Rafizi: PKR will leave Harapan components to 'clean own backyard'

Rafizi eyes 30pct Malay support for PKR, Harapan to defeat BN-PN combo

Amanah Youth admits it's jealous of Muda

BN willing to wade through floods for GE15 - Zahid

Ismail Sabri assures GE15 'not too far away' as Zahid amps up pressure

Amanah's party polls postponed to 2024