Umno Youth chief wants start of 'blue and red wave' in Johor

JOHOR BY-ELECTIONS | Umno Youth has came out in full force on the campaign trail for Pakatan Harapan’s Pulai candidate Suhaizan Kaiat to trigger a “blue and red wave”, partly inspired by the state colours.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and his deputy Mohd Hairi Md Shah were at a meet-the-voters session at a Perling food court last night - one of the two state seats under the Pulai parliamentary constituency.

Also seen were Johor Umno youth chief Noor Azlene Ambros, Langkawi Umno youth chief Mohd Nazifuddin Najib, Johor Umno veteran Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, and local division youth leaders.

In a speech, Akmal (above, third left) referenced the dark blue and red colours of the Johor flag, which are similar to the logo colours of BN and Harapan.

“The Johor flag colours are blue and red.

“So let that be a sign for the start of a blue and red ‘wave’ to reject the wave of extremist politics,” he said.

Suhaizan, in welcoming Umno Youth’s support, said their turnout on day three of campaigning has proven to be a united front of BN and Harapan, contrary to initial rumours.

“The (unity) is not just at the level of national leaders like (Prime Minister) Anwar Ibrahim and (Deputy Prime Minister) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, but also among the youths.

“I would like to state that if there are any among the opposition who says there is a ‘Green Wave’, I say we have a ‘blue and red wave’ in Johor!” he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Akmal said the presence of his Umno Youth machinery in Johor is a sign of their full support for Harapan’s candidates in the twin by-elections.

He also instructed his members to hit the ground in Pulai and Simpang Jeram, to ensure BN supporters will vote for a candidate from Harapan, as a representative of the federal government.

“We do not want politics of hate, extremist politics, politics that divide.

“Let it be this time we start with politics of unity, one that brings people together regardless of race, religion, because this is the true face of Malaysia,” Akmal said.

“Politics should not cause division. And I’m sure Johoreans are wise and mature in making their decisions,” the Merlimau assemblyperson added.

Challenge to convince

Akmal admitted that even with their machinery in full force, there remains a challenge to convince the Umno grassroots to vote for a Harapan candidate.

However, he indicated that Umno Youth has laid out a strategy to explain how supporting a Harapan candidate in Pulai is crucial for the stability of the coalition government.

Previously, Pulai Umno division chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed also said he would work to convince Umno branch leaders and party supporters to vote for Suhaizan.

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