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REMBAU - Barisan Nasional (BN) has no intention of forming a new political coalition with any party to contest elections, but will instead maintain an understanding with other parties to prevent the fragmentation of Malay votes.
UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said BN would continue to operate as an independent political coalition and would not establish any form of formal collaboration with other parties.
He said the understanding reached was only aimed at avoiding clashes that could further split support among Malay voters.
“If he (Parti Wawasan Negara president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin) wants to say it, let him say it. We have nothing (to do with it). We are not trying to form a new coalition. Barisan Nasional has no intention of creating another coalition.
“We are BN. We are only reaching an understanding to face this election so there will not be a split among Malay voters. So people do not need to worry. At this point, as UMNO deputy president, I do not expect any new collaboration involving BN,” he said.
He was responding to questions from reporters regarding the proposed Perikatan Barisan Nasional after a casual session with voters at the Kampong Pedas Tengah Polling District Centre (PDM), Chembong state constituency, here on Thursday.
Mohamad said UMNO and BN had learned from their defeats in the 14th and 15th General Elections (GE14 and GE15), which were partly caused by the division of Malay votes.
He said the issue needed to be addressed by rebuilding Malay support without compromising the identity and struggles of each party.
“We lost two general elections because Malays were divided. Every pain has a cause, every defeat has a reason. The cause was division, and ultimately we lost.
“This division is what we want to mend and unite again. We do not want to be too divided into factions until it eventually harms ourselves,” he said.
On seat allocations, Mohamad said BN would adhere to the understanding that seats previously won by a party would remain contested by that party.
He said the principle had resulted in BN being prepared to hand over several Malay-majority seats to its partner despite the decision being difficult for some parties to accept.
“There are many Malay-majority seats that we have handed over because our understanding is that whoever wins the seat, it belongs to them.
“If they win the seat, we hand it over to them. If we win, the seat remains with us. Other seats will then be balanced and divided fairly.
“There is no question of whether we regret it or not because that is the understanding that was agreed upon,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the BN manifesto is expected to be launched tomorrow night.
He dismissed claims circulating that BN had copied Sabah’s manifesto, describing it as psychological warfare by certain parties.
“The claim that we copied the Sabah manifesto is untrue. We have never done so and it is merely psychological warfare by certain quarters.
“This manifesto will continue BN’s previous efforts that were halted after the BN government lost in 2018.
“The foundation is already there, but we will refine and continue plans that could not previously be implemented,” he said.
Asked about a “poster boy” or individual who would lead the administration if BN wins the election, Mohamad said no decision had been made.
“We have not discussed the poster boy yet. Let us campaign properly first.
“After that, I believe the party will choose and decide on the individual suitable to represent BN and lead the administration if we win.
“Do not be too focused on discussing the poster boy while neglecting the work and campaign. We need to cross the finishing line first,” he said.
