All for one: Ahmad Zahid and Barisan Nasional elections director Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan posing with other party leaders and members at the at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre. — Bernama
SEREMBAN: It was a joint decision of the unity government for Barisan Nasional to contest the Lenggeng state seat and all allies in the partnership should accept it, says Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.
The Negri Sembilan Umno chief said in politics, it was normal for parties to ask for additional seats and whatever decision made by the leadership must be respected.
“Barisan had initially asked for two additional seats in the state and after a series of discussions, the unity government leadership agreed to give us one, which is Lenggeng.
“In the spirit of understanding and unity, let us all respect and uphold that decision,” he said when met at Wisma Umno here yesterday.
The Lenggeng state seat was won by Suhaimi Kassim from Amanah of Pakatan Harapan in the 2018 General Election.
As the decision was made to hand it over to Barisan in the coming state polls, state Amanah Youth announced that the party would field a candidate in Kota, which should be contested by Barisan.
Its vice-chief Ahmad Shukri Kamaruddin was reported as saying they could not accept Barisan contesting in Lenggeng, which should be defended by the party.
Due to this, he said they were forced to take Kota following pressure from the grassroots.
In his response, Jalaluddin said the “retaliation” could work against the interests of both sides.
“If they (Amanah) want to contest in Barisan-held seats, then this would put me in a dilemma as my supporters may also do the same,” he said, adding that he was, however, confident that Amanah would not pursue the plan.
On Friday night, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the party would field Mohd Asna Amin as its candidate for Lenggeng, despite repeated pleas by Amanah for it to defend the constituency.
Umno will also be fielding Suhaimi Aini in Kota.
