GE15: BN has not held talks with other coalitions on forming govt, says Umno veep

KOTA TINGGI – There has been no discussion regarding Barisan Nasional (BN) working with any other coalition to form a government after the coming general election (GE15), said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Khaled, who is also BN’s candidate for the Kota Tinggi parliamentary seat, said that all the coalition’s candidates and leadership, including the party’s “Top Five”, are currently focusing on campaigning in their respective constituencies to ensure BN’s victory in GE15.

“I believe all of that (the question of working with other parties) was raised because they saw that BN would win, so everyone tried to position their respective parties so that BN would ‘propose’ to them,” he told reporters after a gathering with Kota Tinggi Umno veterans at the party’s Felda Pasak operations room, here today.

He said this when asked to comment on media reports that quoted PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan’s statement in Kota Baru on Monday that Perikatan Nasional (PN) was confident of forming a government with a coalition of other parties, especially BN, in GE15.

However, Takiyuddin, in a separate statement yesterday, claimed that his earlier statement was taken out of context, coupled with headlines used by some media which confused voters.

In other developments, Khaled said he was confident of winning Kota Tinggi – based on the response he received from constituents during almost two weeks of campaigning – and would intensify his efforts to attract young voters.

“I am satisfied with the acceptance of the community and voters in Kota Tinggi after many days of campaigning.

“It has entered the final phase and in terms of machinery… (I’m) very enthusiastic and committed to fighting for victory,” said the former Johor menteri besar, who was also confident that the momentum from the state election, held last March, can be maintained.

The former Pasir Gudang MP also refuted claims that young voters do not want to support BN, describing that view as inaccurate.

“These young people will check the candidate’s background, including experience and ability to develop the constituency. I believe they are knowledgeable voters and will choose the best,” he said. He was also confident of getting the full support of Umno’s veteran voters.

Khaled will face a three-cornered clash against Mohd Ridhwan Rasman (PN) and Onn Jaafar (Pakatan Harapan). – Bernama, November 16, 2022