DAP agreed to Umno's main terms in forming unity govt, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Demanding that DAP apologise over its past remarks and accusations against Umno should not come up again, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president said DAP had agreed to the main terms set by Umno during the negotiations prior to forming the unity government last year.

“DAP has expressed it many times, even during the talks to form the unity government, that matter was among the main terms.

“They have agreed 100% (to the terms) and we should not keep talking about it,” he told reporters when visiting the Umno general assembly’s media centre in the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (June 8).

Last December, Ahmad Zahid had said that DAP had already given its word on accepting and complying with the four Articles enshrined in the Federal Constitution pertaining to Islam and the special rights of Malays.

Earlier, newly-elected Umno youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh had demanded DAP apologise for the accusations the party had made against Umno in the past.

"Previously, DAP could fly to Sarawak to meet Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to apologise when forming the unity government.

"Thus, if you want to sooth the feelings of Umno's grassroots, if sincere in forging friendship, we ask DAP to retract their previous allegations against Umno.

"If they can do it with GPS, why can't they do the same with us," he said during his maiden policy speech earlier.

The youth wing did not extend its invitation to unity government component party representatives unlike its Wanita and Puteri counterparts.

DAP national publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching and Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin were present at the Wanita meeting while DAP Youth national deputy chief and Bentong MP Young Shefura Othman was seen at the Puteri meeting this morning.

Ahmad Zahid also urged his party members not to be swayed by the accusations made by other parties that were unhappy with the formation of the unity government.

“The collaboration within the unity government was based on the principles between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan. This was the foundation of the government.

“Don’t be swayed by the games played by some groups that are unhappy with the formation and stability of the unity government.

“We’re addressing the issues on clarifying the information to the grassroots to ensure they support us,” he added.

On rumours that some Umno grassroots would boycott the upcoming state elections, Ahmad Zahid said his party is looking into the matter internally.

He also said that the Umno election machinery and that of other unity government component parties will be more active once the state assemblies are dissolved.

“We will manage our movements (for the state elections) with our partners in the unity government. We’ll not only regain our seats but also retain our incumbents.

“These combinations of retaining and regaining have been discussed with our partners,” he added.