‘PN leaders must make swift decision on Umno’

KUALA LUMPUR: The way forward for Perikatan Nasional’s cooperation with Umno needs to be decided quickly by Perikatan coalition leaders so that all parties can focus on getting their messages straight for the 15th General Election (GE15), says Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Youth Chief also said there also needs to be consensus between Perikatan component parties on the above, otherwise, it would be difficult for the election machinery to come up with distinct messages to attract voters.

“I hope this matter will be resolved soon to prevent any confusion that may happen in our party’s election machinery so that we may be able to give a clear message to the voters on our coalition’s stance in politics.

“Most Perikatan supporters tend to be centre-leaning voters who have become tired of the kleptocracy in politics and the extreme politics of Pakatan Harapan.

“As such, it is vital that we are able to send a firm message to voters on Perikatan’s position as the middle ground contender between the left-wing policies of Pakatan and the right-wing policies of Barisan Nasional,” he said.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal also stated that all party members would respect any decision made by Perikatan leaders on working with Umno, adding that regardless of the decision, Perikatan would be ready to take on any adversary.

“Bersatu had been cooperative with Umno from the start, but in their general meetings, it was Umno that was constantly giving off hostile messages about working with us. So I can understand why Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin made such statements recently.

“We hold no grudges against Umno, but it is Umno who refuses to cooperate with us. If we have to fight Umno, then we’ll fight, and that includes other political rivals, whether it be Warisan, Gerakan Tanah Air or Pakatan,” he said.

Relations between Umno and Bersatu were strained after Muhyiddin, in a Facebook post on Sept 20, criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob over the recent economic problems faced by the country.

Hostilities were further sparked after Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said in a press conference on Sept 22 that Bersatu would have no reservations in fighting Barisan if the parties were to go head-to-head in GE15.