BN-PN cooperation gets thumbs up from grassroots members

 Supporters of both coalitions say they welcome their leaderships' decisions, and hope the arrangement will extend beyond the Negeri Sembilan polls.

BN and the PAS-led PN have reached an electoral understanding for the Negeri Sembilan state election, in which BN will contest 25 seats and PN 11.

JEMPOL:

Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional grassroots members hope the cooperation between the two coalitions in the Negeri Sembilan state election will end political division and translate into cross-support in the seats being contested.

Mohd Yusof Abdullah

Several supporters told FMT they have no objection to the arrangement, saying they would abide by decisions made by their party leadership.

“We have no problem. We follow the leadership’s decision. If that’s the instruction, we’ll comply. We were once with BN before, and if we’re together again this time, we’re grateful,” said PN supporter Yusof Abdullah, 78.

Noorizan Karim.

BN supporter Noorizan Karim, 49, believes the cooperation will boost support among grassroots members, drawing PN voters to the seats contested by BN.

“PN supporters will vote for BN candidates, while BN supporters will vote for PN candidates. I’m confident vote numbers will increase in the seats we’re contesting,” he said.

Jefri Baharom.

PN supporter Jefri Baharom, 60, described a change in the atmosphere on the ground among the local residents.

“Everything has gone smoothly with BN and PN cooperating in Negeri Sembilan. Villagers at the grassroots level are also excited, and the atmosphere is very lively.

“This unity of the ummah is what Umno’s grassroots have hoped for. We hope there’s no more division, and that this cooperation isn’t limited to Negeri Sembilan but expanded nationwide,” he said.

Mohd Zuki.

BN supporter Mohd Zuki, 61, said the cross-coalition support was important to strengthen the BN-PN’s chances of capturing the state government.

“There’s no problem if BN supporters back PN candidates, and PN supporters back BN candidates, because we follow the leadership’s decision. Umno’s grassroots also accept this cooperation for mutual benefit,” he said.

Abu Ubaidah.

PN supporter Abu Ubaidah, 38, shared the view, calling it the right move and hoping it continues in future.

“Everything can be discussed amicably. We hope there’s no more division between BN and PN going forward,” he said.

The optimism echoes remarks by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who described BN-PN cooperation as “more than a marriage” and that the coalitions would campaign for each other’s candidates in the run-up to polling day.

Negeri Sembilan goes to the polls on Aug 1 with BN contesting 25 of the 36 seats, and PN the remaining 11.

Pakatan Harapan is contesting all 36 seats. - FMT