Zahid: Harapan-led states sitting out GE15 over fear of facing BN

Pakatan Harapan’s decision to have three states it leads sit out of the 15th general election (GE15) if Parliament is dissolved soon shows that it is afraid to face BN in the upcoming polls, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In his latest scathing attack against the opposition, the Bagan Datuk MP pointed out that the people are no longer in support of Harapan.

"The experience of losing in three state elections (Malacca, Johor, and Sarawak) shows that the rakyat is rejecting the opposition.

"Voters who once voted for Harapan have changed their mind now. They no longer want to vote for Harapan, and its former ally Bersatu," Zahid said in a statement on Facebook last night.

He was responding to Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks that three states under the coalition - Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan - will sit out of GE15 if Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolves Parliament soon.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim

In saying so, Anwar stressed that the three states would instead focus on addressing possible flooding issues during the monsoon season, and ease the people's suffering.

'Rotten excuses'

Zahid further lambasted Harapan for refusing to dissolve Harapan-led assemblies, after complaining that separate state polls would cost more money.

"Previously, they made noise about having separate state elections, saying it would increase the cost.

"Now their act of not dissolving their state assemblies would cost wastage and increase the government's expenses," he said.

He claimed that is why the opposition is using “rotten excuses”, citing the monsoon season to avoid clashing with BN in the general election.

Zahid alleged that Harapan’s reasons to skip GE15 belittle the experience and professionalism of government agencies dealing with health, security, and natural disaster.

"It also makes it seem as if the Election Commission (EC) does not have the experience of handling previous elections, when the EC and other disaster mitigation agencies have a proven track record for handling elections efficiently, come rain or shine.

"All of the opposition's excuses are to cover up the loss of the voters' support for them.

"The fact is, voters are no longer 'spellbound' by the promises made by Harapan, unlike in 2018. And that is what Harapan and BN's enemies fear!" he added. - Mkini