Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has assured Chinese and Indian voters that there is no need to worry about the co-operation between BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Negeri Sembilan state election.
Speaking at an event on Wednesday night, Zahid said BN remains a coalition that represents Malaysians from all races through its component parties.
BN still represents all races
He pointed out that MCA continues to represent the Chinese community, while MIC represents the Indian community. BN also has “Friends of BN”, which includes members from various races and religions.
“That means we do not exclude any religion or ethnic group,” he said.
Thanks PN for supporting BN
Zahid also expressed his appreciation to PN for backing BN, citing the Johor state election as an example.
He said PN leaders had previously urged their supporters to vote for BN candidates in constituencies where PN did not contest.
Following that, Zahid called on UMNO members and supporters of all BN component parties to fully support PN candidates in the Negeri Sembilan election.
Not a political alliance, but an understanding
However, Zahid stressed that the co-operation between BN and PN is not a formal political alliance, but rather a political understanding.
According to him, the arrangement is meant to prevent BN and PN candidates from contesting against each other in the same constituencies.
He added that he hopes a victory on Aug 1 will mark the first success of this political understanding and pave the way for closer cooperation between the two coalitions in the future.
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