PETALING JAYA: Umno will immediately go to the ground and focus on winning the Melaka election regardless of what is decided by its top leadership, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The party secretary-general said the machinery was geared to focus on winning the state polls.
“Irrespective of who will be fielded, I think they do not want to repeat the previous mistake of losing at the state and federal level.“They are devoting their heart and soul to taking over at the state and federal level,” he said in a video on Umno Online yesterday.
The state election will be held on Nov 20, with nominations on Nov 8 and early voting on Nov 16.
Ahmad hoped party members will keep the momentum going and their spirit high until polling day.
“We want Barisan Nasional to helm the state government.
“I will remind voters of all the contributions made by Barisan, especially to their livelihoods, and considering that the Prime Minister is also from Umno,” he said.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced that Umno would not work with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in the state polls as decided during the last Umno general assembly.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Hang Tuah Jaya Umno division on Thursday night, he repeated his party’s stand not to cooperate with Bersatu.
Meanwhile, Umno’s Tan Sri Annuar Musa warned that any agenda to divide the core solidarity of the Malays, Muslims and bumiputra would only empower Pakatan Harapan.
The Communications and Multimedia Minister said Pakatan Harapan had always looked forward to and was waiting for Umno to not be be part of any form of unity among the ummah (community).
“So far, Malay cooperation with its moderates and allies (under) Barisan and Perikatan has repeatedly thwarted Pakatan’s plans,” said the Ketereh MP in a separate post.
Political analysts have pointed out that the Melaka election is likely to see multi-cornered fights in several seats, given the emergence of new parties as well as the settling of scores between Barisan and Perikatan.