Umno to stick with Barisan in next GE, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will stick with Barisan Nasional in the next general election, says its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and the party's stand not to cooperate with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or DAP remains.

The Umno president said that under current political circumstances, Barisan must be prepared to “contest alone” in GE15.

“For Umno to become dominant again, we must win the most seats and be able to choose the right, sincere and honest partners to form the next government with us, ” he said in his presidential address at the Umno general assembly on Sunday (March 28).

Thanking Barisan component parties MCA, MIC and PBRS for their friendship with Umno and for remaining in the coalition despite its loss in GE14, Ahmad Zahid said stability could only be achieved with Barisan.

“Look what has happened when Barisan is no longer in power. The World Bank report states Malaysia has sunk further compared with other Asean countries in terms of foreign direct investment and development.

“Before GE14, we were among the biggest recipients of FDIs in Asia but today, we are the biggest loser. It is stability that secures economic advancement. And only Barisan can do it, ” he said to delegates.

Thus, he said, Umno must introduce economic patriotism that can stabilise and spur economic growth after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Adding that the grassroots and masses are longing for Umno and Barisan to become dominant again, Ahmad Zahid said the time is now for this to materialise.

“But for this to happen, Umno needs to be strong and united. We cannot allow differences to wreck the party. External forces will always try to bring the party down but they will not be able to do so if we are together, ” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia had lost stability when Umno and Barisan lost the election.

“We must not deny the fact that political stability is the key to success, not just for national security but also for social and economic advancement.

“That was what Umno and Barisan had worked hard to achieve. Stability is hard to come by these days. And for that, we must learn to appreciate it. Stability has to start here (in Umno). A stable Umno will ensure the government’s stability, ” he said.