UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Isham Jalil is resolute in his refusal to support DAP in the upcoming state elections.
“My priority would be to support UMNO candidates to ensure they could defeat those from Perikatan Nasional (PN),” said Isham in a Facebook video.
He noted that DAP can take care of itself in the places they contest since they have the support of Chinese voters and can win without UMNO’s help.
According to him, whoever wants to get mad at his statement, go ahead.
Isham stated that unlike former UMNO veteran Tan Sri Annuar Musa, he has been consistent in his views on working with DAP.
“Before the last election, when people asked whether UMNO could cooperate with DAP, I said this would be difficult due to differences in ideology.
“See my response on this before and after the 15th General Election, as well as after the unity government was formed. I’ve always been consistent.”
Meanwhile, Annuar previously stated that collaboration between DAP and UMNO was not impossible.
Isham pointed out that Annuar made an about-turn and is now criticising them.
UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan claimed party members should look at DAP candidates in the upcoming state elections as representing the unity government rather than the party itself.
Moreover, Isham had previously warned that support for UMNO will be eroded if it continues to demand that members support DAP candidates in the elections that are due to take place in six states within the next three months.
Furthermore, Ahmad later called for a stop to all the polemic surrounding his controversial statement and explained that UMNO members would not have to vote for DAP as their logo was not on the ballot, as it was part of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Isham further stated that representatives from DAP and other members of the unity government should be greeted “like guests visiting during Hari Raya” during UMNO’s general assemnly today.
He also expressed the hope that seat distribution among the unity coalition members for the upcoming polls can be announced soon so that the machinery can begin preparations. – June 9, 2023
Main photo credit: Bernama
