SEREMBAN — Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) will remain fully committed to the unity government until the next general election (GE16), said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who is also Umno president, said he agreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the unity government can retain victory in GE16 if all allies are loyal and are focused on the people.
“I like the response from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when a reporter asked him whether the unity government could survive if the election was held in the near future and he said he was confident that he could survive.
“In that situation, I would like to state that the cooperation between Umno and BN with the unity government (will continue) until GE16,” Zahid said after the Negeri Sembilan BN Convention 2024 here today, Bernama reports. The convention was also attended by BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Anwar yesterday who expressed confidence that the government, which comprised his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and former rivals BN, has the advantage of winning if the general election is held in the near future.
In recent months, Zahid has made a series of remarks about BN’s cooperation with PH for the next general election.
In June, said BN would contest GE16 using its own logo but would still work with PH.
Last month, he said he would ensure no seat overlaps between BN and PH when fielding candidates in GE16.
In his speech to Negeri Sembilan BN delegates earlier, Zahid also urged BN leaders to strengthen the party’s internal structure, reach out to the people, understand the aspirations of the younger generation, and use technology, social media and election machinery to face GE16.
He warned that failure to act as a team could result in scoring “own goals” as happened in GE14 and GE15.
“We must play our respective positions as players in the football team so that victory will favour us. BN should not kick the ball into their own goal,” he said. – December 22, 2024
