Zahid tells component parties to resolve internal issues

IPOH: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on Barisan Nasional component parties to resolve any internal issues before nomination day.

Acknowledging that there could be resentment from those who were not picked as candidates, he hoped that there would be a closing of ranks to ensure there would be no problem during the general election.

“When there’s resentment, there will be issues. A win or a loss can be decided by such internal issues,” he said.

The respective party machinery should resolve “all the hotspots and flashpoints”, he said during the announcement of the Barisan lineup yesterday at Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir’s official residence.

Umno will contest in 13 parliamentary seats, MCA six, Gerakan three and MIC two.

For the state seats, Umno is contesting 38, MCA 15 while Gerakan and MIC will contest three each.

MyPPP, which vied for the Pasir Bedamar state seat in the last election, was dropped entirely this time.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said Barisan need not just retain its seats but must also regain those lost in the previous elections.

“We need to win Perak and, more so, we need to win more seats, not just defend the seats we’ve won,” he said.

Dr Zambry, who is contesting both the Lumut parliamentary and Pangkor state seats, said Barisan could prevail if there were no acts of sabotage.

According to a source close to Dr Zambry, he said the decision to contest the two seats was part of Barisan’s strategy to win more seats.

“It is a normal process and nothing new. There are others from Barisan also contesting two seats,” he said.

“It’s nothing extraordinary.”