‘Umno will never go solo'

The Star

2 days ago

Nice to meet you: Ahmad Zahid meeting supporters at the opening of the Umno division meeting as Zambry (behind Zahid) looks on. — Bernama
LUMUT: Umno will not contest alone in the 16th General Election (GE16), says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He stressed the party's continued commitment to cooperating with other component parties in Barisan Nasional.
He dismissed claims that Umno's recent losses in several by-elections were due to its alliance with component parties within Barisan and Pakatan Harapan.
'Umno and Barisan have never contested on their own. I promise and declare that we will contest under the Barisan symbol in the upcoming general election,' he said at the opening of the Lumut Umno division meeting here yesterday.
Also present were Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Lumut Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Ahmad Zahid, who is Barisan chairman, said the coalition's parties, MIC, MCA and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, alongside its unity government partner Pakatan, will not be sidelined.
He said while Barisan may contest under its own banner, it will do so with the support of allies in Pakatan and other component parties.
'They have helped us by reaching out and engaging Chinese voters in support of the Barisan candidate (for the Mahkota state seat) and we won by a margin of over 20,000 ... thanks to the support from our friends in other parties,' he said.
He stressed that despite the setbacks in the previous general election, it was not a matter of sadness or fear but rather a lesson in political strategy for greater success in the coming elections.
On another matter, Ahmad Zahid stressed on the importance of support and respect for Barisan component parties to achieve victory in an election.
Victory cannot be achieved alone, he said, urging Umno members to strengthen ties with their partners in MIC and MCA.
'These parties stood by us during hard times. Now it is our turn to support them to ensure Umno and Barisan candidates dominate both state and parliamentary seats again. The same goes for our cooperation with Pakatan,' he added.
He said that cooperation with Barisan component partners is one of the key conditions for the coalition to recapture three seats in Lumut in GE16.
The three are the Lumut parliamentary seat as well as Pangkor and Pasir Panjang state seats – seats which are currently held by Perikatan Nasional.
He said Umno and Barisan leaders in Lumut must stand united and there should be no room for division.
'Our political opponents are not as strong as we think. It is our internal weaknesses and the loss of confidence in our own party that have hurt our cause the most.
'Old habits such as backstabbing, blaming leaders and finger-pointing must stop immediately.
'Unity within the Lumut division is the first and foremost condition for victory,' he said in his speech.
He reminded the party to let go of the past and accept today's political reality.
'As part of the unity government, we can no longer act like the dominant party of the past, making demands at will.
'The people are watching and evaluating our maturity. Arrogance and pride must be eradicated.
'We must show that Umno has changed and is ready to regain public trust through humility and wise strategy,' he added.
He said Umno should regard social media as an important medium to gain support, especially among young voters.
'Umno Youth and Puteri Umno must lead the digital narrative. Engaging voters with relevant, respectful and convincing content is essential in rebuilding trust.
'This is our final opportunity to win back all three seats in Lumut. We must not waste it,' said Ahmad Zahid.