‘DAP liability for Umno to regain Malay votes’

 

DAP has been labelled a liability for Umno in the latter’s efforts in regaining support from the Malays.

Umno supreme council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed was reported as saying by Utusan Malaysia that the alliance with DAP would pose a challenge for Umno to win back the confidence of the Malays, especially in the face of the looming state elections.

Jazlan stressed that Umno is sincere in making the unity government a success, hence why the Malay nationalist party had not voiced out their opinion on the matter.

“But when we are quiet, DAP is the one who makes such statements,” Jazlan (above) was quoted as saying by the Malay daily.

The Umno senior leader was referring to Perak DAP vice-chairperson Abdul Aziz Bari’s comments that Umno’s role with the Malays is now unclear as Perikatan Nasional has taken up the role.

Aziz explained that this was based on the results of the 15th general election where PN was expected to lose support, but it was Umno who suffered the defeat.

In response to Aziz, Jazlan said DAP should instead be appreciating Umno’s efforts in enabling the formation of the current federal administration.

Perak DAP vice-chairperson Abdul Aziz Bari

"In the current situation, DAP is the reason why it’s difficult for Umno to regain support from the Malays. Many Malays don’t trust them.

“DAP’s strategy of placing Malays as party leaders no longer work, so they should appreciate Umno,” said Jazlan.

Yesterday, Utusan reported Aziz as saying that Umno is now in survival mode and merely relying on Pakatan Harapan for positions in power because “only with positions can the party move”.

“But for the state elections, Umno’s role is still unclear because we see a lot of Malays’ support going to PN, not Umno.

“And non-Malay voters in particular are all worried about PN’s extreme actions. Safe to say that their votes are solid for Harapan, so Umno’s role is yet to be seen at the moment,” Aziz reportedly said.

However, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the reading on the state polls should not be based on the record of GE15.

Akmal told Utusan that politics is fluid and therefore, he is optimistic that Umno will be able to regain the support of the Malays and emerge victorious in the upcoming state elections. - Mkini