THE former Perlis menteri besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said UMNO cannot ride with Pakatan Harapan (PH) forever to remain in the coalition as a smaller party in the ruling government.“UMNO now has 26 parliamentary seats. The party is indeed big. But, in terms of participation in government, it is small. So, actually it can’t rule just by riding along (with PH). This can’t last long. Sometimes people give rides but you (UMNO) can’t get everything from this,” added the Arau MP during a press conference at the Hotel Furama, Kuala Lumpur this morning.On the other hand, he stated that UMNO should cooperate with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) instead of riding with the PH in government. Moreover, Shahidan is one of the members of UMNO who joined PN after being dropped from the BN candidate list in GE 15.The former UMNO leader managed to retain the Arau parliamentary seat in an election that saw UMNO take a beating.Shahidan also pointed out that UMNO leaders’ support for the PN was increasing.“I heard a story at PAU (UMNO General Assembly) that 10 UMNO warlords (influential leaders) will enter PN. I have no information about these UMNO leaders.“However, UMNO’s grassroots support the PN. Many UMNO leaders will support the PN (in the PRN).” – June 17, 2023
Main photo credit: Malay Mail
