Mohamad: In BN-PN partnership, we’re still ‘majority shareholder’
SEREMBAN: Non-Malays have no reason to fear marginalisation if Barisan Nasional wins the Negri Sembilan polls as the coalition will remain the primary decision-maker despite its political cooperation with Perikatan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The state Barisan chief said that non-Malays should not be taken in by claims by its rivals that they would be sidelined if Barisan and Perikatan form the state government.
“Barisan is like the biggest shareholder in a company as we are contesting in 25 seats while PAS will contest five, Wawasan four and two more by other party candidates.
“The majority shareholder is still Barisan and non-Malays have no reason to be unduly worried,” he told reporters after a football tournament in Taman Badar Ekar in Rantau.
Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said Barisan’s rivals were stoking fear among non-Malays that they should not support the “Malay unit” concept promoted by Barisan-Perikatan.
As an example, he pointed out MCA was given seven seats to contest in the Aug 2 polls, while MIC got two seats, out of the 25 total seats being contested by the coalition.
In the case of Perikatan, two of the 11 seats contested by them were given to non-Muslim candidates.
“There is nothing to be concerned about as our friends have also openly said the Mentri Besar post will go to Barisan,” he said.
Asked on the response so far from the public following the decision by Barisan and Perikatan to cooperate in the polls, Mohamad said it was much better than when they worked with Pakatan Harapan in the 2023 polls.
“I must say it has been better and I hope this is translated into votes on Aug 1.
“The election machinery of our parties have been working well, meeting as many voters as possible for support,” he said, adding that Barisan was confident of a victory in the state election.
Mohamad said its decision to work with Perikatan was more of a tactical understanding so that they could get more support from the Malay voters.
“Malay voters do not want to see Malay parties fighting one another, so it will be easier for them to decide.
“If Umno were to go head on with PAS, it will split the Malay votes and this will only benefit the third party,” he said, adding that this was the advantage of forming a political cooperation.
To a statement by caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun that Negri Sembilan’s economic performance under Pakatan in terms of investment had surpassed the target set by Barisan in its election manifesto, Mohamad said Barisan wants a consistent growth for the state.
Aminuddin had said Barisan’s target of RM30bil in investments over five years in its manifesto did not reflect the state’s current economic performance as the state had already achieved the target.
However, Mohamad said Negri Sembilan managed to record its highest investment last year as the Federal Government was the one who brought in the investment for a data centre in Springhill.
“We want to be consistent when it comes to growth. That is the basis of our manifesto,” he said.
The total long-term investment and construction value for the data centre campus and related infrastructure is estimated to bring in some RM10bil in investments.
