Selangor Harapan-BN retreat to realign election machineries

 

A gathering of some 1,000 Selangor Pakatan Harapan and state Umno's machinery in Shah Alam today was an opportunity for the first-time allies to realign their election strategies, said caretaker Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

The Selangor Harapan chairperson said the one-day retreat followed several major joint events, including the recent “Jelajah Malaysia Madani” programme held in Banting.

"Overall, we gathered for the entire day today and I believe it will realign our election efforts.

"Harapan has started moving, BN has started moving, so here today we are aligning our movements," said Amirudin during a press conference after the retreat.

Also present were Selangor Umno chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, together with the day's programme directors Selangor Umno deputy chief Johan Aziz and Selangor Harapan deputy chairperson Borhan Aman Shah.

Amirudin said Johan was tasked to handle the election machinery, adding there were over 30 questions raised by members related to the realignment.

"We are all new to this cooperation and so, this frank realignment shows our readiness to work together," said the PKR vice president.

Additionally, Amirudin said the retreat participants also discussed Harapan and BN's joint manifesto, expected to be announced several days before official nominations on July 29.

"For sure, BN has certain approaches and we (Harapan) also have our ways.

"And so this is where I said, how we combine traditions with new hope to create a strong coalition capable of attracting support from a majority of Selangor voters," he said.

'No new logo'

While realigning their strategies to each other, Amirudin said both Harapan and BN will retain their respective coalition's logos in all six state elections.

"It is too soon to create a new logo in six or seven months.

"For now, we are focusing on our individual strengths, before we can create a new united logo," he said.

"With the upcoming elections, the reality is that we will retain BN and Harapan's logo because those are known to voters," he added. - Mkini