3-cornered fights a ‘certainty’ in GE14, says Zahid

DPM says this follows PAS' decision to leave Pakatan Harapan and sever political ties with PKR.

MARANG: The recent “transformation” of the political scene in the country will mean that all state and parliamentary seats to be contested in the 14th general election (GE14) will see three-cornered fights.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this followed PAS’ decision to leave the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and go it alone in GE14.

“The political scenario has changed. From being, a two-party system with the Barisan Nasional (BN) lining up against PH, we now have PAS in the middle.

“Three-cornered fights are a certainty following the PAS Syura Council’s decision to stop political cooperation with PKR and DAP,” he said when addressing a meet-the-people session and launch of ‘Jentera Jalinan Rakyat’ of the Marang Parliamentary constituency, here today.

Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman and state government leaders.

Zahid reminded members of BN component parties however not to be complacent despite the likelihood of three-cornered fights because anything could happen.

“We have to work hard in the face of this situation because our political enemies want to see us defeated in the fight for state and parliamentary seats.

“BN respects the PAS decision to go it alone in GE14 but will continue to cooperate for the benefit of the Malays and Islam.”

He said the opposition has resorted to blaming Umno for not tabling the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1955 (Act 355) in parliament and blaming PAS for severing ties with PKR.

Zahid said ‘Jalinan Rakyat’, would be the main machinery in GE14 and urged all Umno members to be involved in the activities planned.

“We must strive to retain the seats won, increase the majority of votes and grab seats from the opposition. The days of sabotage and ill-feelings have passed,” he added. -FMT