WARM WELCOME. Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi received a warm welcome by party secretary-general Anthony Loke and chairman Lim Guan Eng at the DAP Party Conference 2023 in Putrajaya on Sunday. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: DAP and Umno have gone from foes to friends, says Lim Guan Eng following Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's attendance at the DAP convention.
The DAP chairman welcomed the Umno president to the convention in Putrajaya on Sunday (Sept 10), and said that it was the first time an Umno leader had attended the convention.
“He (Ahmad Zahid) created history because for the first time, he is here as our partner in the DAP national convention.
“We did not expect this to happen last year and to uphold the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for a unity government to be formed after GE15, therefore we are here together as former foes to friends."
Lim said that DAP wants the unity government to wrest areas from Perikatan Nasional after the by-election wins by Pakatan Harapan in Johor.
He also said the party was confident that the unity government could be in administration for more than one-term.
“We can lead Malaysia for another 10 years with our friends from Sabah and Sarawak.
“After the victories in Johor, we want to conquer Perikatan areas,” said Lim during his speech at the DAP convention," he said.
Lim said the victories in the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat reflected the people’s support towards the unity government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I want to congratulate Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Amanah for winning with a huge majority.
“We maintained our two-thirds majority in Parliament by winning Pulai and also destroyed Perikatan’s confidence by winning Simpang Jeram," he said.
On Sept 9, Amanah’s Suhaizan Kayat won the Pulai parliamentary seat with a majority of 18,641 votes.
Amanah’s Nazri Abdul Rahman also won Simpang Jeram with a 3,514 majority, which is an increase from the Johor state polls last year that recorded a 2,334 majority.
Lim said Perikatan was expected to describe their defeat as a victory, due to increased votes.
But, Lim said the six state elections last month saw the unity government winning the popular vote.
“Perikatan once said the six state polls were a referendum towards Anwar’s leadership.
“But, the unity government won 49.5% of the votes compared to Perikatan’s 49.3%,” said Lim.
Lim urged DAP leaders holding government positions to lead with integrity and the need to abide by the party’s decision.
“Don’t think that you are bigger than the party because without the party, you won’t be able to hold any government positions,” said Lim.
Lim said all leaders must acknowledge that the party is bigger than any individual.
“Only with discipline and unity, then we can remain strong and secure a victory in the 16th general election,” said Lim.
