Follow PAS’s lead, vote for BN, KJ tells Bersatu supporters

 The ex-Umno Youth chief says Bersatu and PAS should not be viewed as BN’s political enemies but as coming from the 'same stock'.

Khairy Jamaluddin described PAS’s directive for its supporters to vote for BN in seats where PN did not contest as a reflection of a ‘grand collaboration’ among Malays.

SRI GADING:

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has urged Bersatu supporters to follow PAS’s lead in backing Barisan Nasional candidates in seats where Perikatan Nasional is not contesting in the Johor state election on July 11.

He said while BN is working to increase support among non-Malay voters, efforts to consolidate Malay backing should not be sidelined, particularly in Johor.

“If there’s no PN candidate, we’re also inviting Bersatu voters to support BN,” he said when met by reporters while campaigning for BN candidate Najib Samuri in Parit Yaani.

“Although we don’t want to see non-Malays marginalised, Malay unity is something that is hoped for by a large section of Malays, especially in Johor.”

Khairy also described PAS’s directive as a reflection of “grand collaboration” among Malays, adding that Bersatu and PAS should not be viewed as BN’s political enemies but as coming from the “same stock”.

“When our friends are not contesting, for example, in this seat (Parit Yaani), we invite them to support us,” he said.

Khairy also praised PAS’s directive but urged BN’s machinery to engage directly with PAS members and supporters.

“We are worried they may not come out to vote because there is no PN candidate. Even though PAS has expressed support, we still need to make our own effort to meet them,” he said.

He also cautioned that BN should not rely solely on dissatisfaction among non-Malay voters with PH and DAP, saying the coalition must actively convince them to support BN.

“Being disappointed with another party is one thing, but it does not mean they will automatically like us. Our job in these 10 days is to convince them to give BN a chance,” he said.

PAS has instructed its members and supporters to vote for Umno or BN candidates in constituencies where PN is not contesting in the Johor polls.

Under PN, PAS is contesting 11 seats, Bersatu 16, MIPP five, and Pejuang one.

BN and PH are the only coalitions with candidates in all 56 state seats. - FMT