Friday June 22, 2012
Umno doubts DAP will field Malays
By IAN MCINTYRE
ianm@thestar.com.my
BUTTERWORTH: Penang Umno is unperturbed by DAP’s plan to field Malay candidates in the next general election as it believes that it can only materialise at the expense of DAP’s Pakatan Rakyat partners — PAS and PKR.
State Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (pic) said for DAP to field Malay candidates, it must ask PAS and PKR leaders to make way.
“I don’t think DAP dares to field Malay candidates in Chinese-dominated areas.
“In politics, nobody likes to sacrifice. I doubt PAS or PKR would want to make way for the entry of DAP Malay candidates.
“Even if DAP succeeds, I think their candidates cannot trouble Umno. We are ready for any eventualities, including facing DAP,” Azhar said in an interview.
According to him, Umno has traditionally contested against PKR or PAS in general elections, so if DAP wants to buck the trend, they are welcome.
He was referring to reports that DAP Malay coordinator Zulkifli Mohd Noor had supported a call by a non-governmental organisation here for the party to field Malay candidates as PKR and PAS had allegedly failed to live up to the expectations of the Malay electorate.
“We will fight DAP head on. We are not afraid of them.”
Separately, Azhar said that he would not attend a disciplinary hearing by the state legislative assembly’s select committee on Rights and Privileges next Monday.
Azhar, who is the state Opposition Leader, risks being suspended for allegedly bringing the sitting into disrepute due to his conduct in the last sitting session.
To this, Azhar who has expressed his desire to resign from politics after the next election, said he would not be attending it, claiming the hearing was akin to a “kangaroo court.”
“I do not expect a fair hearing as those who are determining the outcome are from Pakatan, such as the State Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussein.”
“He should recuse himself due to conflict of interest. It is best that I do not attend as it is not going to be just,” he said.
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