LUMUT: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has confirmed that Umno will not contest solo in the 16th General Election.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Umno president, stressed the party's ongoing commitment to Barisan Nasional.
He also dismissed claims that the party’s recent losses in several by-elections were due to its alliance with component parties within Barisan and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“Umno and Barisan have never contested on their own. I promise and declare that we will contest under the Barisan flag in the upcoming general election," he said, adding that it would not sideline its partners: MIC, MCA, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and Pakatan.
“This idea of going solo is being voiced not just in Kedah, but also yesterday in Johor, I heard the same sentiment,” he said when officiating the Lumut Division Umno Representative Meeting at Dewan Merdeka, Majlis Perbandaran Manjung on Sunday (July 6).
Zahid added that while Barisan may contest under its banner, it would do so with the support of allies in Pakatan and other component parties.
“They have helped us by reaching out and engaging Chinese voters in support of the BN candidate (for the Mahkota state seat), and we won by a margin of over 20,000... thanks to the support from our friends in other parties,” he said.
He emphasised that the setbacks in the last general election serve as a lesson in political strategy, which Umno and Barisan are now adjusting to achieve greater success in the upcoming elections.
