Ahmad Bashah: Splinter opposition parties have short life spans

SUNGAI PETANI: Opposition parties formed by splinter groups of the main opposition players never last long, said Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

He said these ‘ small fries’ would make no impact whatsoever in Barisan Nasional strongholds.

“We know voters loyal to BN will not switch camps, They know such parties have a short life span and will never deliver the goods.

“For example, a party that is a splinter of PAS, it will die a natural death.

The same fate awaits Bersatu ( Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), it will not be able to make inroads in UMNO strongholds,” he told reporters after attending the ‘Jelajah Muafakat Rakyat 2018’ programme for the Gurun constituency in Kampung Baru Bedong near here yesterday.

Ahmad Bashah said this when asked to comment whether these parties could sway support away from BN.

Meanwhile, in Padang Terap, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the fact that opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan did not name its candidates early for the 14th General Election purportedly so that they would not be bought over BN showed that it did not have confidence in them.

The Education Minister said the claim by the coalition’s chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (that the candidates would be tempted by offers of money) was just a ruse to hide their weakness because of a shortage of credible candidates.

“Did he also buy candidates when he (Tun Dr Mahathir) was prime minister… he should not be saying such things,” he told reporters after opening the “Jelajah Pendidikan Bumiputera 2018” (JPB18) progamme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Naka .

Dr Mahathir is also the chairman of Bersatu.

Pakatan Harapan is made up of Bersatu, DAP, PKR and Amanah, a splinter of PAS. — Bernama