KUALA LUMPUR: MCA and MIC have nothing to fear from Umno’s cooperation with PAS, said Mohamad Fadil Md Zain.
The Negri Sembilan Umno Youth chief said the experience in Negri Sembilan had shown that cooperation with PAS did not come at the expense of Barisan Nasional’s component parties.
“Today in Negri Sembilan, Umno has chosen PAS as one of its friends. To PAS, we remind and ask that you do not make us ‘sawan’ (convulse) again,” he said when tabling the Youth motion at the Umno general assembly here on Saturday (Sept 12).
Addressing MCA and MIC, Fadil said they should not be afraid or worried about the cooperation, pointing to MCA’s performance in the last state election as proof.
“We have proven in Negri Sembilan that MCA, which previously did not have a single seat, managed to win two seats.
“What makes us even prouder is that a seat previously held by the DAP secretary-general was won by MCA and Barisan Nasional,” he said.
Fadil said Umno also needed to be wise in choosing its political partners, given the country’s dynamic political landscape.
“If Umno chooses the wrong friend, we are afraid that we will be the ones who suffer. If Umno chooses the wrong partner, we will be the ones who get eaten,” he said.
He said political cooperation should ultimately be guided by the party’s interests and the broader struggle rather than personal considerations.
“For Youth, personal matters are not the priority. What is more important is the party, what is greater is the struggle, what matters is Umno and Barisan Nasional’s victory, and what is most noble is the unity of the ummah,” he said.
Fadil also cited Negri Sembilan Umno’s performance in the state election, where the party won all 16 seats it contested, as evidence that the political approach could work.
He said Umno Youth in the state had initially faced difficulties accepting the decision to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan in the state election, but ultimately remained committed to the leadership’s decision to ensure political stability.
He said the party must continue to put aside personal differences and focus on strengthening its position ahead of the 16th General Election.
