Standing united: Ahmad Zahid (fourth from right) with Dr Mah (second from right), Saarani (fourth from left) and other component party members giving the thumbs up at the convention in Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
Political landscape has changed, don’t dwell on the past, says Zahid
IPOH: “Big brother” Umno will always look out for its siblings, says Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He gave an assurance that MCA and MIC will remain as “brothers” in Barisan and any internal issues between them can be discussed and resolved.
“Abang will always fight for adik (young brother). We are colour-blind.
“We are brothers and we can discuss (internally). There’s no need to fight in front of the house.
“It’s normal to argue but don’t use the media or other platforms to air our grievances.
“We can negotiate like brothers,” he said in his opening speech during the Perak Barisan Nasional Convention here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid said in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests.
“We have permanent interests; it’s not about Barisan or Pakatan Harapan but the unity government and we need to defend it.
“The unity government cannot happen without Barisan as well,” he added.
He said the political landscape has changed.
“Let us not open old chapters but to make new ones. We need to change our mindset,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid also told Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad to lead Barisan to recapture the seats that they lost in the last general election.
“I have full confidence in Saarani to win back the 26 state seats. Hopefully, our friends in Pakatan can be with us to support and strengthen Barisan during the election.
“If our friends help us, we must also help them,” he added.
At a press conference, Ahmad Zahid said that more young candidates would be given priority in the next general election.
“We have no choice but to put out new and young candidates.
“Such a strategy worked in the Nenggiri and Mahkota by-elections,” he said.
The Nenggiri by-election in August saw Kelantan Umno Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, 38, defeating Perikatan Nasional’s Mohd Rizwadi Ismail by a majority of 3,352 votes.
As for the Mahkota by-election which took place in September, Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah, 40, edged out Perikatan’s Mohamad Haizan Jaafar by a 20,648 majority.
Ahmad Zahid said the move to field younger candidates is not meant to deny the old guards.
There is still a need for a good combination between the young and old, he said.
“We were also young once. We were given opportunities to be candidates in elections,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said discussion on seat allocations between parties in the unity government would only be held after the dissolution of parliament and state assemblies.
“People can make their recommendations (for candidates) and it will be up to the top leadership to make a decision about it,” he added.
