An upset may be on the cards in Negri, says Ahmad Faizal

Unlocking success: Ahmad Faizal (right) at a press conference. — Bernama

SEREMBAN: Perikatan Nasional is ready to face the Aug 12 state polls in Negri Sembilan as the underdog for now, although it believes an upset is on the cards, says its state chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

“A lot has been said by our rivals that they will retain Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang and also do well in the Perikatan-held states.

“If we (Perikatan) are not confident of capturing Negri Sembilan, for example, I will not have been sent here,” he told reporters during a high-tea session with reporters here.

Ahmad Faizal, who is also Bersatu deputy president, said Perikatan’s rivals are also free to claim that support for the coalition is decreasing.

“But may I know what the basis is for such claims?

“On the contrary, it is an open secret that Umno members are not happy with the party working with DAP and vice versa.

“Also, things are not as rosy as it seems between Pakatan and Barisan and this can, among others, be seen during recent talks on seat distribution.

“So, the obvious alternative here is Perikatan,” he said.

Ahmad Faizal also dismissed talk that Pakatan and Barisan had an advantage in the state as DAP was expected to win all 11 seats it would be contesting.

DAP first won all 11 seats in the 2013 general election and successfully defended them in 2018.

“Even if DAP wins the 11 seats, there are still 25 more up for grabs.

“We have the strategies, which I am not at liberty to divulge. We must remember that there is no such thing as fixed deposit seats these days,” he said.

Ahmad Faizal claimed that the cooperation between Pakatan and Barisan in Negri Sembilan was also not workable as there was already talk of Umno eyeing the post of mentri besar.

He said while Pakatan’s Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun was keen to serve another term as MB, a senior Umno leader was also said to be eyeing the post.

Separately, Ahmad Faizal said all 36 Perikatan candidates in the state polls would be locals.