SEREMBAN: Umno will focus on seats in Negri Sembilan's Malay heartland to ensure they do not fall to Perikatan Nasional in the coming state polls, says Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.
The state Umno chief said although these seats are Barisan Nasional strongholds, they would not be complacent.
"When Barisan governed the state for decades before, we carried out many programmes that benefited everyone in the state.
"For the past five years, Pakatan Harapan has also done a good job taking care of the people.
"Although we are confident Perikatan will not be able to penetrate our strongholds, we will do more work in these areas to ensure they stay out," he told reporters when met at Wisma Negri on Tuesday (June 27).
There are 36 state seats in the Negri state assembly. Pakatan holds 20 seats while Barisan has 16.
Jalaluddin, who is also Jelebu MP, said the Umno machinery would hold more sessions with voters, especially in the Malay heartland, to explain the need for Umno and DAP to work together, among others.
"Some in the Opposition have been going around saying that Malays will not support parties in the unity government simply because Umno has agreed to work with DAP.
"We will explain to the voters that whether they like it or not, this is the new political landscape.
"We should never use the race or religious card to gain support from voters and I am certain they will not be influenced by such talk," he said.
On June 23, state Perikatan chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the coalition stood a great chance of winning despite not winning any of the eight parliamentary seats in the state during GE15.
He said this was based on recent surveys which showed a big swing in support, especially among Malay voters, towards Perikatan.
Jalaluddin said the Barisan-Pakatan team would explain to the people their plans to develop the state for the next five years.
Describing Negri Sembilan as the "second Klang Valley in the making", Jalaluddin said only a coalition which has the interests of all communities at heart would be able to steer the state to greater heights.
"There should be no place for any party with extreme views.
"This state and country should be run by people from all religious and racial backgrounds and this formula has worked well for decades," he added.
