BN candidates instructed not to attack PAS in Malacca polls

 

MALACCA POLLS | BN has instructed its candidates contesting in the Malacca state election not to attack their counterparts in PAS in their election campaign, according to Malacca Umno deputy chief Mohamad Ali Mohamad.

This is despite PAS, which formed Muafakat Nasional with Umno in September 2019, is contesting in the state polls under PN's ticket.

"Maybe (the outcome of this state polls) will give them a clue… maybe we can work together for the future of the Malays and Muslims in the next election.

"I still adhere to the principle of Umno always opening its doors to PAS, regardless of what will happen in this election," Ali (above) was quoted as saying in an interview with The Malaysian Insight.

"We do not consider PAS an enemy, so our friends in BN contesting and campaign speakers are not going to attack the party," he said.

"With PAS, it is easy for us to win (more seats) but we are ready to go solo. It would have been easier to win 23 seats if PAS had been with us," he said.

"If there is a split between Umno and PAS in dealing with the situation today due to politics, we do not want this to impact the Malay-Muslim community. We in Umno maintain our efforts to provide cooperation among the Malay-Muslim parties, especially to parties that are friendly to Islam.

"Although our approaches are different in these state polls, Malacca Umno is still open to working together with PAS," added Ali, who is contesting for the Sungai Udang state seat.

The election campaign in Malacca comes under tight control because of the Covid-19 pandemic

The outcome of the election would shape the direction of BN for the future, he said.

"Malacca can be a benchmark for BN because, with the racial composition here, there are Malays, Chinese, Indians… this gives the idea that if BN can win handsomely in Malacca, it will be a benchmark for BN to win GE15 later," he said.

The Nov 20 Malacca state assembly election is seeing multi-corner fights as BN is contesting against PN and Pakatan Harapan in all 28 state seats.

PAS is contesting in eight state seats, namely Kuala Linggi, Taboh Naning, Durian Tunggal, Klebang, Bukit Katil, Duyong, Serkam and Merlimau.

BN aims to win 21 out of the 28 state assembly seats

Umno is battling for seats while MCA is contesting seven seats and MIC, one.

Ali said BN aimed to win 21 out of 28 seats in the state, including six seats that BN won with a majority fewer than 1,000 votes in the 2018 general election.

These included Lendu, Taboh Naning, Asahan, Pantai Kundor, Rim and Merlimau.

"In this election, we are still fighting all five parties (such as in GE14). The only thing is Bersatu is no longer in Harapan but with PAS, but their votes remain the same.

"The switch in marginal seats can happen if Bersatu can transfer 500 to 600 votes to PAS and the BN votes remain the same. So, if Bersatu voters do not vote for Harapan, and with the votes we got (in GE14), BN will be able to take back (the constituencies) from Harapan," he said.

"I am confident Umno and BN will win these seats,” he said.

"I am confident fence-sitters who voted for Harapan will turn to BN because of the empty promises, slanders and problems created by Harapan."

Ali believes that BN can reclaim all four state seats that belonged to the four assemblypersons who withdrew their support for former chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali, which led to the collapse of the BN-led state government.

The four seats are Sg Udang, Pantai Kundor, Pengkalan Batu and Telok Mas. - Mkini