Zahid: No ‘Muafakat’ for Malacca polls

 

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has indicated that his party will not work with either PAS or Bersatu in the upcoming Malacca state election.

He also appeared to question the continuum of Umno’s Muafakat Nasional alliance with PAS.

In an online talk show last night, host Rafi Awg Zechik asked if Muafakat will make an appearance in the Malacca snap polls.

“Because Muafakat has never been registered, therefore, I do not see a cahaya terang (bright light) for it to be realised as per previous by-elections.

“Let Umno contest solo under the BN flag. And God willing, the rakyat will choose the best party,” Zahid answered.

He had been a guest on the Jawab, Saya Tanya (I ask, you answer) show entitled ‘PRU15: Membentuk atau membina arus?’ (GE15: Shaping or building currents?).

Rafi also asked if Umno will work with Bersatu in GE15 and in the Malacca election.

“I respect the decision and stance taken by the Umno general assembly in 2020. The stance was made and I, as the president, will respect it - whereby in GE15 we will not work with Bersatu [...]

“(As for the Malacca election), I think that it is the desire among Umno members and leaders throughout Malacca (not to work with Bersatu).

“I hope those listening to what I am saying here (know that) this is a result of what they have in their hearts,” Zahid said.

Repeated betrayals

As for the future of Muafakat, Zahid had some strong words.

Asked whether he was “disappointed” at how the alliance had progressed, the Bagan Datuk MP said he was not but noted that Umno had been “repeatedly betrayed’.

“As a politician, I have never been disappointed but we should know that when we share a life together, we have to trust each other and not betray one another.

“It is enough if the betrayal happened once.

“But if it happens repeatedly, not just to Umno but also multiple quarters, I think this should be re-evaluated,” he said.

Zahid’s deputy meets PAS

Despite Zahid’s comments, several senior Umno and PAS leaders met yesterday.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir were photographed sharing a meal with PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad.

Asyraf posted about the meeting on Facebook with the hashtag “#muafakat”.

“Together we are finding common ground to strengthen our ukhuwwah (bond),” he wrote. - Mkini