IPOH: PAS’ launch of its 16th General Election machinery in Lenggong keeps Barisan Nasional on its toes, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said he has no issues with the matter, noting that Umno will also activate its own election machinery.
"It is a good thing, because when they launched theirs, it prompted Umno’s machinery to spring into action as well. Otherwise, Umno’s machinery would have been asleep," he said in a press conference after attending the Meet Customer's Day Programme at Stadium Indera Mulia on Wednesday (Jan 28).
"For me, I take it positively. I have no issue with it. In fact, I would like to thank them, because they have helped to get Umno’s machinery up and moving," he added.
Perak PAS reportedly launched its election machinery last Sunday. The launch was by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who called on all state election machinery to remain fully prepared and to carry out structured and systematic preparations for the elections.
When asked whether internal issues or confusion within Perikatan Nasional, particularly involving Bersatu and PAS, could be an advantage for Umno and Barisan in the elections, Saarani said Umno was only focused on strengthening its own party machinery.
"I think Umno, especially our president, has already announced that we will build and strengthen our own capabilities. We are not concerned with whether other parties are weak or strong," he said.
"If we win, it must be on our own strength. Instructions have been issued to all divisions and areas to build and strengthen the party internally, as what happens to Perikatan is up to them. At our level, we are focused on developing and strengthening our own party machinery," he added.
On the programme, Saarani said that 216 complaints related to public issues had been received so far this year, involving various concerns. He added that from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2025, the state government received a total of 1,119 complaints through eight series of the programme, with 1,011 or 90.35% of the issues resolved.
Meanwhile, Saarani said the state government also recognised the achievements of Perak athletes at the national level through the provision of incentives. A total of RM45,650 was awarded to 40 athletes under the Perak State Sports Excellence Incentive 2025, while RM93,800 was given to 45 Perak-born athletes who won medals at the SEA Games in Thailand last year.
He added that Perak has also strengthened its support for sports development through the implementation of the Sistem Angkat, as well as the launch and handover of new buses for the Perak State Sports Council to improve logistics and athlete welfare ahead of SUKMA 2026.
