BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi welcomed a clash with Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
In his speech at the Johor BN election machinery launch today, the Umno president implied that he had no issue with Harapan carrying out its threat to dissolve the Negeri Sembilan legislature following BN's move in Johor.
"There are those (in Harapan) who said if the Johor state assembly is dissolved today, then they will dissolve the Negeri Sembilan assembly the next day.
"And if (BN) contests all 56 seats in Johor, then they will contest 36 seats (in Negeri Sembilan) as well.
"Please, go ahead, we will meet in the arena," he said at the Educity Sports Complex indoor stadium in Iskandar Puteri this evening.
The 56-seat Johor state assembly was dissolved on June 1 after Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim consented to it.
Three days later, Negeri Sembilan caretaker menteri besar Aminuddin Harun announced the dissolution of the state assembly in a late-night press conference.
Two weeks ago, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had vowed that Harapan would respond to any dissolution of the Johor state assembly with a similar move in Negeri Sembilan.
This was a day after caretaker Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi declared that BN will go solo in the upcoming state election.
Earlier in the event, Onn explained that he had timed the dissolution of the Johor legislature to avoid colliding with festive celebrations and the floods of the monsoon season.
Citing the intensifying conflict in West Asia as well as global uncertainties, he said Johor requires stability for its advancement.
Zahid praised this decision and complimented the Johor BN chief's political acumen.
‘Umno's doors remain open’
Zahid, without naming Harapan, further alluded to parties he accused of diminishing BN's achievements.
"We would like to remind them that without BN's 30 MPs, they would not have secured the 120 seats they needed to swear in the prime minister.
"The fact is that BN's contribution cannot be erased," he asserted.
Zahid went on to take a jab at Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, claiming that the latter had only begun talking about unity due to the upcoming elections as well as a weakened political position.
While he did not name Muhyiddin directly, he referred to a party president from Johor, further claiming that people in the state do not trust this politician.
He nevertheless reiterated that Umno's doors remain open to those genuinely seeking reconciliation and unity.
"If you truly and sincerely want to unite, open the doors of your home, open the doors of this Rumah Bangsa wide.
"God willing, what's done is done," he added.
In January, Zahid announced the formation of Umno's "Rumah Bangsa Unification Committee" to strengthen Malay political unity, including by welcoming back former members and groups that had left the party.
Last month, Free Malaysia Today reported Muhyiddin as saying that the 11 opposition parties under the Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) alliance may contest under the Perikatan Nasional banner in the upcoming Malacca polls.
IPR consists of Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, Muda, Berjasa, Pejuang, Putra, Malaysian Advancement Party, Malaysian Indian People’s Party, National Indian Muslim Alliance Party, and Urimai. - Mkini
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