KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional component parties need not fear Umno’s cooperation with PAS, says a Youth delegate.
Mohamad Fadil Md Zain, who is Negri Sembilan Umno Youth chief, said the recent state polls showed that cooperation with PAS did not come at the expense of Barisan’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 rock the boat with us again,” he said when tabling a motion on behalf of the Youth wing at the Umno general assembly.
Addressing MCA and MIC, Mohamad Fadil said they should not be worried about the cooperation, pointing to MCA’s performance in the recent state election.
“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,” he said.
Mohamad 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 will be the ones who suffer. If Umno chooses the wrong partner, we will be the ones who get ‘eaten’.”
He said Umno’s performance in the state election, where it won all 16 seats it contested, showed that the party’s approach could work.
Kedah Umno delegate Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the state party will initiate talks with PAS on possible political cooperation ahead of the next general election, but has ruled out negotiating with Perikatan Nasional as a coalition.
Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the state liaison body had decided to engage PAS directly.
“We will start by having coffee with PAS, but not with Perikatan, because there is another party in Perikatan, the ‘cat party’,” he said, referring to a remark by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
At the recent PAS muktamar, Sanusi had used the “cat” analogy, saying that the party need not feel small or insecure when negotiating seats with other parties, which he referred as “cat party”. He, however, he did not name the said party.
Meanwhile, Wanita Umno has urged women to be given equal opportunities in politics, including being fielded as candidates and playing a greater role in decision-making.
Batu Pahat Wanita division chief Haliza Abdullah said women’s participation in politics could no longer be left to subjective considerations or treated as an afterthought.
“We are the backbone, pillars and roots of the party’s strength. Meaningful recognition is not just about words, but about translating those words into space, opportunities and trust,” she said.
