KUALA PILAH: Negri Sembilan will benefit from the same co-operation among Barisan Nasional component parties that has been instrumental for the coalition’s resounding success in the Johor election, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
“If Johor can do it, Negri Sembilan can do it too.
“The first formula is teamwork. Malays, Chinese, Indians and the Orang Asli must all move as one family.
“If we could help MIC win in Felda-majority areas, surely MIC and MCA can help us here.
“We must move as one team,” the Johor Mentri Besar told Barisan election workers at a gathering for the Juasseh state constituency yesterday.
Onn Hafiz also rejected claims that Umno and Barisan had betrayed the Malay Rulers, describing the allegations as slander that must be countered with facts.
He stressed that loyalty to the monarchy had always been part of the coalition’s identity.
“Umno’s DNA and Barisan’s DNA are not the DNA of traitors, as they claim.
“Umno was born at the Johor Palace and we will never betray the institution of the Malay Rulers.
“We want to win with the truth. This is why every slander must be refuted.”
Onn Hafiz reminded party workers not to allow their opponents to dominate public opinion with what he described as baseless allegations.
He said Barisan had learned this painful lesson during the 2018 General Election.
“Our candidates and the leaders of Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri must step forward to counter every slander,” he said.
Meanwhile in Gemenceh, Onn Hafiz defended Negri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias against accusations made by political opponents.
He claimed that the state’s recent political crisis had been triggered by Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who was then Mentri Besar, over his handling of the state’s royal crisis.
“That is why Datuk Seri Jalaluddin was forced to take a principled stand against his administration, which had lied to the people.
“To me, the person who betrayed the people of Negri Sembilan is none other than the Mentri Besar himself,” he said when launching Barisan’s election machinery.
He also rejected claims that Jalaluddin was power-hungry and had attempted to seize power through the back door, describing the accusations as baseless.
Onn Hafiz also called on parents to encourage their children aged between 18 and 40 who are working outside the state to return home to vote on polling day.
“Let us turn Negri Sembilan blue,” he said, referring to Barisan’s iconic logo.
He also brushed aside critics who had dismissed him as merely a “budak” (kid).
“This kid did not come alone. I came with Johor’s ‘kids’, and we stand together with Negri Sembilan’s ‘kids’,” he said to cheers from the crowd.
