Zahid calls PN's alliance offer 'daydreaming'

Summary

• Umno chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi turns down PN’s invite to form a majority in the Perak state assembly, calling the proposal a mere “daydream”.

• The BN top gun says such an alliance could have been considered earlier, but is unnecessary now.

AYER KUNING POLLS | BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has poured cold water on Perikatan Nasional’s invitation to join forces and form a majority in the Perak state legislative assembly.

Zahid, who is Umno president, said such an alliance is unnecessary as BN has full confidence in Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad’s leadership.

Responding to PN’s claim that the rakyat’s welfare could be better addressed if Umno joins the coalition, Zahid called it “daydreaming”.

“It would be good (if such an alliance) were formed earlier on, but if the suggestion is only coming up now in Ayer Kuning… It’s just like dreaming during the daytime,” he told reporters after attending an event with the Orang Asli community in Kampung Sungai Keroh Dalam.

On PN’s allegation that Ayer Kuning voters are displeased with Umno’s relation with Pakatan Harapan component member DAP, Zahid said the opposition coalition is merely floundering for support.

“PN realises that it is losing support in Ayer Kuning… voters are no longer attracted to the issue,” said Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister.

PN’s olive branch

Yesterday, PN deputy chairperson Hamzah Zainudin expressed confidence that the coalition will be able to pull votes from Umno loyalists displeased with DAP.

Claiming that voters would prefer Umno to join forces with PN instead, the Bersatu deputy president said many voters have conveyed their rejection of “UmDAP”.

The phrase is a pejorative term used against Umno by its critics after the BN linchpin joined forces with DAP to form the unity government after the 2022 general election.

PN election director Sanusi Nor also called on Ayer Kuning voters to indicate their dissatisfaction with the unity government by casting their ballots for PN’s candidate on polling day tomorrow.

Sanusi also accused DAP of sowing racial discord among the rakyat and urged voters to kickstart the political end of the party.

Ayer Kuning voters will head to the polls tomorrow after a two-week campaign.

PN is fielding Tapah PN chief Abd Muhaimin Malek, while BN has opted to put forth Tapah Umno secretary Yusri Bakir.

PSM deputy secretary-general Bawani KS makes up the three-cornered race for the state seat, which was declared vacant following the death of its incumbent Umno assemblyperson, Ishsam Shahruddin, on Feb 22.

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