Zahid: No need to invite Umno to join PN

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the party is comfortable cooperating in the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Therefore, Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister and BN chairperson, added that there is no question about the coalition joining Perikatan Nasional.

"For us, we are comfortable with our involvement in the unity government and there is no need to invite us to join PN," he said in response to the opposition's suggestion for Umno to join PN.

Zahid was speaking after the closing ceremony of the Sports and Welfare Council Sports Championship of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in Putrajaya yesterday.

Last Saturday, Bersatu information chief Razali Idris said that Umno's participation in PN could establish a new federal government with the aim of helping the Malay-Muslim community.

Zahid said the government is responsible not only for the Malay-Muslim community but also for all Malaysians.

Meanwhile, according to Bernama, Zahid said there have been no discussions regarding any portfolio reshuffle with the prime minister.

".…but I think there is no change... because the prime minister did not discuss it with me,” he said.

Prominent figure for Kemaman

On the upcoming Kemaman parliamentary by-election, Zahid said that BN through Umno will field a candidate from Kemaman.

He said that Umno has received several names as potential candidates and they will be shortlisted soon.

"We will certainly select a prominent figure from Kemaman who holds a national or state-level position to contest in the by-election," he said.

He added that Ahmad Said, the Terengganu Umno chief and BN election machinery director for the Kemaman polls, will announce the candidate's name.

The Election Commission has set Dec 2 as polling day for the Kemaman polls. Nomination day is Nov 18 and early voting is set for Nov 28.

The Kemaman by-election was called following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court on Sept 26, which annulled the victory of PAS candidate Che Alias Hamid in the 15th general election.

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