MARAN: Barisan Nasional will continue to work with Pakatan Harapan in the run-up to the next general election (GE16), says Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said both Barisan and Pakatan would contest using their own symbols in GE16.
“In the next GE, we will use the Barisan logo. This does not mean we are moving away from the unity government alliance.
“It means that Pakatan can contest using its logo and we contest with our own.
“In terms of cooperation, we will contest in constituencies that are not contested by them and we do not contest in the areas they are contesting in,” he told a press conference after opening the Maran Umno division delegates meeting in Pekan Tajau yesterday, Bernama reported.
In his speech, Ahmad Zahid, who is the deputy prime minister, said since Umno was roped into the unity government with Pakatan, the Islamic agenda had not been sidelined.
“I am responsible for steering Umno and will ensure that the component parties in this unity government adhere to all matters enshrined in the Constitution and protecting issues related to Islam and Malay rights,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also said Umno has shortlisted several candidates for the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan with three key criteria in mind – winnability, public acceptance and voter appeal.
He said the candidates list would be discussed with Gua Musang Umno division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and the Kelantan Umno liaison body before being finalised by the party’s political bureau.
“I believe the shortlisted names meet the criteria of winnability, acceptance and appeal among voters.
“I just need an endorsement from the political bureau before announcing it.
“In my opinion, Tengku Razaleigh will consider local figures from Nenggiri itself as candidates, as proposed by the division and state liaison body,” he said, adding that he met Kelantan Umno chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub to organise the campaign strategy.
It is understood that three names were shortlisted by Gua Musang Umno for the by-election – Kelantan Umno Youth chief and Gua Musang Umno Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, Gua Musang Umno Information chief Amran Arifin and Gua Musang Wanita Umno chief Nor Fadzlete Aryani Mat Rosli.
To ensure Barisan’s victory, Ahmad Zahid said he has directed Kelantan Barisan and Kelantan Umno to mobilise the entire party machinery to Nenggiri.
The Election Commission has set Aug 17 for the Nenggiri state by-election, with nomination day on Aug 3 and early voting on Aug 13.
The casual seat vacancy for Nenggiri was announced after the Kelantan state assembly received a written notice in accordance with Clause (3) of Article 31A of the Kelantan Constitution from Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim on June 13.
Prior to this, Kelantan state assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah announced the state seat vacant starting June 19.
