‘STARTING POINT OF UMNO, PAS COOPERATION’

Unity between parties will shape a strong opposition voice, says BN candidate

BARISAN Nasional candidate for the Sungai Kandis by-election Datuk Lokman Noor Adam said the cooperation between Umno and Pas can materialise only if all parties put aside their egos.

He said the cooperation was important given the country’s current situation, where many issues had cropped up, especially those regarding Islamic affairs.

“The Sungai Kandis by-election, I hope, will be the starting point for Umno and Pas to form more instances of cooperation in future.

“Yes, many may say that Umno and BN will not win in Sungai Kandis. However, at least we are united for the sake of Islam and the Malays,” he said.

Lokman, who is an Umno Supreme Council member, said he was confident that the cooperation between Umno and Pas would shape a strong opposition voice.

“Umno and Pas are Malay-based parties that have their own influence and strength. Both parties need to form a strong alliance to go up against them (Pakatan Harapan).

“When PH sees the solid voices of Umno and Pas, for sure, they will be more careful when speaking about Islam,” he said.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had reportedly described the Sungai Kandis by-election as unique as it was an early test for the political cooperation between Umno and Pas.

Pas central committee member Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz had earlier admitted that the party was encouraging its members to vote for the Umno candidate.

Pas information chief Nasrudin Hassan had also reportedly said PH must be defeated on Aug 4 as it had failed to fulfil the promises made during the 14th General Election (GE14), particularly those to be honoured in 100 days.

In the last election, incumbent Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei won the seat for the third term, defeating BN’s Datuk Kamaruzzaman Johari, Pas’s Mohd Yusof Abdullah and Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hanafiah Husin.

Shuhaimi received 23,998 votes, beating Kamaruzzaman (11,518), Mohd Yusof (7,573) and Hanafiah (76).

PIC BY ROSLIN MAT TAHIR Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Lokman Noor Adam (standing third from right), and Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (standing fourth from right), speaking to patrons at an eatery in Kampung Jawa, Klang, yesterday.