GEORGE TOWN: Everyone in the unity government should make some sacrifices to ensure a big win for the coalition in the coming state elections, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The new political reality is that the parties in the unity government have to embrace the presence of others.
“There are 19 collaborating parties in all, and I do not want any party to feel left out or ‘kecil hati’ when we work under a smart partnership,” the Deputy Prime Minister told a press conference after launching Semicon South-East Asia here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid also reminded Barisan Nasional component parties to work on improving themselves and attract voters to ensure success.
“All parties within the Barisan coalition must remind themselves that they are now part of 19 parties under the unity government.
“What is important is working together with all the parties in the Barisan outfit, and to embrace the existence of other collaborating parties,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan chairman, said MCA and MIC are not the only parties under Barisan as the coalition has other associate parties.
“We need to strengthen our own parties to gain the support of our members, non-members, voters as well as give a good impression of the party. Let us move forward,” he said.
On Monday, MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon urged the Barisan chairman to focus on taking care of the coalition’s component parties, instead of other political partners.
“He should take care of and prioritise the interests of its component parties, instead of Pakatan Harapan, particularly DAP,” he said.
Chong’s comments were, in turn, about Ahmad Zahid’s statement that Umno members were finding it hard to accept DAP as a partner in the unity government.
The six states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan – did not dissolve their state assemblies to hold state polls along with parliamentary polls in the 15th General Election on Nov 19, 2022.
The Election Commission had said that the six states should consider holding the polls simultaneously, adding that holding it together would cost RM450mil.
The Selangor state assembly is set to automatically dissolve on June 26 and elections must be held within 60 days by Aug 26.
The Kelantan state assembly will automatically dissolve on June 28, Terengganu (July 1), Negri Sembilan (July 2), Kedah (July 4) and Penang (Aug 2).
