Perlis Umno wants to go solo at next polls, says PN incompetent

 State chief says there have been no talks on a pact with PN despite certain quarters trying to arrange discussions.

Perlis Umno chief Rozabil Abd Rahman said Perlis voters gave PN a chance to govern but the people have yet to see significant development. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Perlis Umno wants to go it alone in the next elections rather than join hands with Perikatan Nasional, which it accused of failing to bring meaningful change in the northern state.

State Umno chief Rozabil Abd Rahman said there have been no official talks with PN, although certain parties have tried contacting him to arrange for a meeting.

He said Perlis Umno’s machinery was currently preparing to contest the state’s 15 state seats and three parliamentary seats on its own, Berita Harian reported.

“In Perlis, we have not held discussions with any party, including PN. What Umno members want, and what we have been preparing for, is to contest all seats.

“This is a very clear direction for Perlis Umno. There have been no discussions on forming any alliance for the coming elections. That is our position for now,” he said.

Umno lost every state and parliamentary seat it contested in Perlis in the last elections.

Rozabil said he was nevertheless confident that support for Umno is growing, based on the response and political mood on the ground.

He criticised the PN-led state government, saying voters gave the coalition a chance to govern, but they have yet to see significant development.

“Until now we have not seen any real progress, especially in creating jobs and economic opportunities for young people.”

Rozabil acknowledged that the previous Barisan Nasional administration had its shortcomings, but said there was a clear difference compared with the present state government.

BN and PN’s pact in the Negeri Sembilan polls led to a handsome victory, with their alliance securing a two-thirds majority.

Observers previously anticipated that BN and PN would find it harder to continue their pact in the PN-led states, including Perlis. - FMT