In row over Malacca strategy, Zahid says don't give in to emotions

Summary

• Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says unity government parties should keep their cool regarding talks on seat allocations for the Malacca state polls.

• Party leaders, he says, will normally decide on such topics during high-level discussions.

• He alludes that the BN-Harapan pact for the Sabah state polls could include participation of state-based parties.

Government coalition members should not let emotions cloud their judgment when issuing statements regarding seat allocations for the Malacca state election, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Stressing that such matters should be left to the consideration of top party leaders, Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, urged against “premature polemics”.

“(Regarding dispute over Malacca seat allocations), I advise the wings of any party within the unity government to let the leaders of the respective parties handle the matter.

“Don’t give in to your emotions and analysis based on certain perspectives,” Zahid told reporters at the sidelines of Umno’s 79th anniversary celebrations.

Akmal versus allies

His remarks come amid heated exchanges between Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and other fellow unity government figures over DAP’s proposal for BN and Pakatan Harapan to each contest half of the 28 state seats in Malacca.

Akmal had told DAP to “keep on dreaming” if it is seeking for BN to cede some state seats it previously won, as it will never be given to Harapan.

It was earlier reported that nine DAP branches in Malacca had unanimously passed a resolution supporting the so-called “14+14” strategy for the next state election - a move that, if followed through, means BN would have to cede some of the seats it already holds.

Malacca Amanah chief Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat argued that Harapan deserved to contest a greater share of seats, despite currently holding just five compared to BN’s 21, as the results of the 2022 general elections leaned in Harapan’s favour.

PKR Youth communications director Haziq Azfar Ishak had then entered the fray to criticise Akmal’s “harsh and domineering approach”, which he claimed did not add any value to political discussions or efforts to establish a consensus in the unity government. 

Commenting on the kerfuffle, Zahid said it is unnecessary for government parties to raise the issue of seat allocations before the state polls.

“Party leaders often meet and hold negotiations, (so) there is no need for Umno itself, especially Umno Youth, or Amanah Youth to bring up this topic.

“I think it is very premature to make this matter a polemic (at this time),” he added. 

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said BN and Harapan had, in principle, agreed to retain the seats they won in the previous state election.

‘Sabah shows BN’s openness’

Meanwhile, when asked about the upcoming Sabah state election, Zahid said BN’s decision to cooperate with Harapan for the polls signifies BN’s openness to working with other coalitions for the betterment of the state.

He also alluded that there could be other parties joining the pact, highlighting the importance of having the support of locally based parties.

“We will operate in Sabah not just by moving forward alone - we have no intention of going solo.

“Our decision is that BN-Harapan is not just a ‘plus’ but a ‘plus plus plus’... it is necessary to combine central and state-level parties. 

“What’s important is that the government formed after the state election is a joint government (able to) ensure planned developments in Sabah can be implemented,” he added. 

Previously, in a joint announcement by Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and unity government secretariat head Asyraf, it was confirmed that BN and Harapan have agreed to cooperate in the state election.

In response, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairperson Hajiji Noor said his coalition is prepared to go solo against Harapan and BN in the 17th Sabah election, which must be held on or before Dec 8 this year.

Hajiji, who is also the Sabah chief minister, said GRS upholds the principle that the Sabah government should be led by local parties that understand the realities, culture, and the needs of the people.

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