JOHOR BARU: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has dismissed allegations of internal friction between Tapah Umno Youth and the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Ayer Kuning state by-election, calling them a ploy by the Opposition to disrupt party unity.
He said all party wings were actively supporting Barisan candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, who is the Tapah Umno division secretary.
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“I was in Ayer Kuning and heard nothing about any boycott. This issue was deliberately raised to create division within the party. During the nomination, I saw the Youth, Wanita, and Puteri wings all present – there was no problem,” he said after attending a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Bandar Seri Alam yesterday, Bernama reported.
Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also denied claims of discord between Tapah Umno Youth and the Barisan candidate.
Meanwhile, Umno central war room secretariat chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan voiced his confidence in Mohamad Yusri, describing him as the best choice to represent the people of Ayer Kuning.
