KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is ready to face state elections in Melaka, Johor and Negri Sembilan, says its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
However, he said it was too early to identify or reveal Umno candidates for the state polls.
“All of Barisan’s parties are prepared and, more importantly, when the mandate is returned to the people, the people must choose the best combination.
“It is too early to identify candidates,” he told reporters after the “Unplugged Ansara with TPM” programme here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said this in response to a call by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke for his party machinery to be on full alert for elections in the three states anytime soon.
Loke said the decision to prepare for state elections in Melaka, Johor and Negri Sembilan followed a failed attempt to topple the unity government there, raising the likelihood of snap polls.
On the issue in Negri Sembilan, Ahmad Zahid said the party had never considered offering a candidate to replace current Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Umno president reiterated that the party had no intention of becoming the opposition in Negri Sembilan, adding that the state Umno will remain in support of the unity government there.
“We have no intention of becoming the opposition. That was merely a statement.
“But Umno at the central level has decided that the 14 state assemblymen in Negri Sembilan will remain part of the state unity government,” said Ahmad Zahid.
On May 2, Negri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said he is prepared to serve as opposition if necessary rather than remain in the state government under Aminuddin.
On April 27, the 14 Negri Sembilan Barisan assemblymen withdrew their support for the state government led by Aminuddin.
