Zahid: Harapan 'shaky', Umno can take over Putrajaya before GE15

Umno acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he expects the "shaky" Pakatan Harapan government to fall before the 15th general election.

"I will do what is best for Umno so we can form a government again," he said during a Hari Raya event organised by the Federal Territories Umno today.

"The formation of the government need not wait until the next general election. InshaAllah (God's willing), the other side (Harapan government) will be shaky, splitting here and there.

"Anyone who breaks off (with Harapan) will come to Umno, the biggest party with the most number of lawmakers."

Zahid, who is gunning for the president's post in the coming party polls, said Umno has been good to all BN parties, including the ones from Sabah and Sarawak which left the coalition.

The former deputy prime minister also pointed out that none of the prices of foodstuff dropped as claimed by a Harapan minister, except for the price of tomato.

"They want to implement the zero-rating goods and services tax (GST) and said in some states, the prices have dropped 30 percent to 50 percent. The prices either went up or remained," he said in rebutting Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub's claim. 

Zahid said many people, particularly government contract staff, came to him and expressed regret for voting Harapan.

He added that some even told him that Umno and BN were the only ruling coalition that was able to take care of the people. 

"But, it is too late, this is not changing clothes, this is changing the government."

Zahid also criticised Harapan ministers for making inconsistent statements and cited the Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran who initially spoke about banning foreign cooks but "later said it was still at the proposal stage".

"If you don't know how to become the government, give it to Umno. We can be a better government," he said. -Mkini