PH-BN alliance can dominate Sabah polls, says Umno sec-gen
He pointed to recent by-election successes in Ayer Kuning (Perak), Mahkota (Johor), and Nenggiri (Kelantan) as proof of their combined strength.
'This cooperation helped us win in areas we previously struggled in, including non-Malay majority districts,' he said.
Asyraf Wajdi dismissed notions of arrogance, stating that Umno remains open to collaboration. 'Why refuse to work with others? Umno is adaptable and inclusive,' he told reporters after opening the Tanjong Karang Umno division delegates' meeting.
He also revealed that negotiations between PH and BN for the Sabah polls are 98% complete, signaling a near-finalized partnership.
On another front, Asyraf Wajdi expressed confidence in reclaiming the Tanjong Karang parliamentary seat in GE16.
The seat, lost in the last general election, is now a priority.
'The key is unity, loyalty, and faith within Umno. No factions, just focus,' he said.
In GE15, Perikatan Nasional's Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi won the seat with 18,054 votes, defeating BN's Datuk Habibah Mohd Yusof (15,874 votes) and PH's Siti Rahayu (12,314 votes). – Bernama
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
16 minutes ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Trump to send Patriots to Ukraine, US ‘not paying' for them
PRESIDENT Donald Trump said the US will send more Patriot air-defense batteries to Ukraine in an apparent shift to a more confrontational stance toward Russia after his attempts to negotiate a ceasefire failed. 'I haven't agreed on the number yet, but they are going to have some,' the president told reporters Sunday on his way back to the White House. 'We will get them Patriots, which they desperately need.' The announcement sets the scene for what Trump described would be his 'major statement' on Russia on Monday as Moscow steps up airstrikes against Ukraine. The US president has grown increasingly exasperated with Russian President Vladimir Putin's intransigence in talks to end the war, which is currently in its fourth year. But it wasn't immediately clear whether the statement is going to include a promise of any fresh military aid beyond potentially using the $3.8 billion left from the package approved under the previous administration of President Joe Biden. A new sanctions bill against Russia has also been making its way through Congress. Trump said the US 'is not paying anything' for the potential supply of the new batteries, which he said will be financed by the European Union. Last week he said it would be NATO that will pay for 'those weapons, 100%.' A single Patriot battery system could cost more than $1 billion with missiles an additional around $4 million each. The US wants to make a lot more weapons available to Ukraine, but also wants other, non-US funding, according to a senior NATO official, who asked not to be identified in order to speak more freely. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization would play the role of a coordinator with individual member states making the purchases, the person said. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is going to meet with Trump on Monday during a two-day visit to Washington after they spoke by phone on Thursday. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is also due in the US capital. Berlin is in talks with the Trump administration to provide Ukraine with two additional Patriot systems and cover the full costs for the much-needed deliveries. The move signals a change of heart for Trump, who had held off approving any new weapons shipments to Ukraine since the start of his second term. Instead, he had sought to coax Putin to the negotiating table, arguing that he could get a halt to the conflict where Biden had failed. Trump had previously refused to consider seeking additional funds, arguing that it would only harden Putin's stance and dim chances to end the fighting. The US president lashed out at his Russian counterpart last week after Putin repeatedly hit Ukrainian cities with a record number of drones and missiles and sidestepped calls for a ceasefire. Trump's latest plan to send more military aid to Ukraine comes after the Pentagon earlier this month unexpectedly paused some key weapon shipments, citing low stockpiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Friday that the US had resumed shipping the aid. Trump added that he is very disappointed with Putin. 'He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,' he said. He declined to say last week whether his announcement would include new sanctions. However, Trump said he expected the Senate to pass a tougher Russia sanctions bill sponsored by a close ally, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The legislation would give Trump discretion to hit US trading partners including China and India with 500% tariffs on their products if they make any purchases of Russian oil, gas or other products under sanctions, potentially wreaking havoc on the oil market. 'A turning point regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine is coming,' Graham said on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday. 'I expect, in the coming days, you will see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves' and 'that there will be tariffs and sanctions available to President Trump he has never had before.' During his presidential campaign and his first months in office, Trump had cast Zelenskiy as the obstacle to peace, and bemoaned the US military and financial support his country has received. In February, he derided the Ukrainian leader as a 'modestly successful comedian' and a 'dictator.' The halt on weapons had provoked fears that the US was backing away from Ukraine for good and unwilling to intervene to repel Russia's slow but steady advance. Zelenskiy said an earlier meeting with US and European allies in Rome stoked optimism that Trump would ramp up military aid to the war-battered country, including air defense. The meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing — which included US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg — came hours after another deadly Russian drone-and-missile assault on Kyiv. The Ukrainian leader said he'd had a 'positive dialogue' with the US president over the delivery of more Patriots. Kellogg arrived in Kyiv on Monday. He will meet the Ukrainian army chief, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine and intelligence officials in Kyiv during his visit to discuss further aid, Zelenskiy said in his evening address on Sunday. –BLOOMBERG
The Sun
23 minutes ago
- The Sun
PH MPs briefed on judiciary and tribunal formation in Putrajaya
PUTRAJAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers attended a closed-door briefing today with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, focusing on judicial reforms and the formation of a tribunal. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the discussions included an explanation of Article 125 of the Federal Constitution, which governs the appointment and dismissal of judges. The briefing was led by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Fahmi stated, 'There was also (an explanation) regarding the formation of a tribunal and several related matters, that's all.' He added that further details would be shared during the post-Cabinet press conference. The meeting, lasting nearly two hours, follows a similar session with Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs earlier this week. Fahmi described the session as productive, saying, 'This meeting was very, very good and well received by MPs. God willing, we will see what happens after this.' - Bernama
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Anwar meets PH MPs in Putrajaya to discuss key national issues
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim convened a meeting with Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers at the Seri Perdana Complex to deliberate on pressing national concerns before the upcoming parliamentary session. The gathering followed a similar discussion with Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs earlier this week. Anwar, who serves as PKR president and PH chairman, arrived at the Seri Perdana Complex around 4.30 pm. Prior to his arrival, vehicles transporting PH MPs and ministers began entering the premises from 3.45 pm. Key figures in attendance included DAP secretary-general and Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Amanah president and Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, as well as Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The closed-door session aimed to clarify recent developments on taxation policies, speculation surrounding RON95 fuel subsidies, and judiciary-related matters. This aligns with the government's effort to ensure cohesive policy communication among coalition partners ahead of parliamentary debates. - Bernama
