BARISAN NASIONAL, UMNO TO RESTRATEGISE MACHINERY

This is needed due to Pas ending its political cooperation with PKR, says DPM

FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR PUTRAJAYA news@nst.com.my

BARISAN Nasional and Umno will restructure their machinery to face the new political scenario created following the split between Pas and PKR.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the severing of ties between the two parties would pose a new challenge to the ruling coalition.

He also said BN expected more three-cornered fights in the upcoming 14th General Election.

“In the previous general election, most constituencies saw a straight fight due to the cooperation between Pas and PKR.

“With this new development, we will see more three-cornered fights.

“The challenge will be different. We have to devise a longterm strategy to face this new challenge.

“We have to adopt a new strategy to face the strategy planned by the opposition,” he said after receiving a courtesy call from International Organisation for Migration Ambassador directorgeneral William Lacy Swing here yesterday.

The deputy prime minister said Umno and BN would observe and analyse the new political developments in gearing up for the GE14, which must be called by next year.

“We respect the decision made by Pas to end its cooperation with PKR as this is an internal issue between the two parties.

“This shows that Pas wants to remain a political party that has its own identity.

“This also shows that Pas is confident of being a ‘standalone’ party. We have to accept the political reality and find the best measures to address this issue.

“We need to restructure our organisational machinery to face this new situation,” he said.

On May 11, Pas Syura Council secretary Datuk Dr Mohd Nik Zawawi Salleh announced that Pas had terminated its tahaluf siyasi (political cooperation) with PKR.

Nik Zawawi had said the decision was made after PKR was deemed to have breached many conditions of the political cooperation, which was based on Islamic principles.

On a separate matter, Zahid urged people of all races to put aside their differences and support Umno in its bid to place Malaysia among the top countries in the world.

He said Malaysians must unite to help the government realise its goal to make Malaysia one of the top 20 countries in the world.

“Umno is sincere in developing the country and this should be supported by the people.

“Party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said that Umno is not a racist party and focuses on the people’s needs and interests.”

Zahid also said the government was prepared to create a better future for Malaysians in the next 30 years through the National Tranformation 2050 initiative.

He was commenting on Umno’s 71st anniversary celebrations on Thursday, where Najib, who is also prime minister, underscored four factors that held the key to Umno’s success.

“It is important to put aside our differences to make Malaysia a developed nation.

“All parties should also help the government in translating this vision (to make Malaysia a top country) into action.

“We should not let petty issues become a barrier,” said Zahid.

Umno is sincere in developing the country and this should be supported by the people. Party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said that Umno is not a racist party and focuses on the people’s needs and interests