KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) should focus on seats won by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 15th general election (GE15) instead of seats traditionally contested by Umno and Barisan Nasional.
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Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said such an approach would prevent Bersatu from disrupting Umno and BN’s traditional seats to the point of inviting conflict as well as continued disputes between the two Malay parties.
“I, too, do not understand. This is the first time I am saying this… why must (Bersatu) disturb or bother the household of Umno, BN? Why must Bersatu stand where we stand? You (should) be where Amanah (Parti Amanah Negara), PKR are.
“You should practice your (Perikatan Nasional’s) blue ocean strategy in Amanah, PKR and DAP areas because here there is already a red (Umno) ocean (in place),” he said.
Mohamad said this an exclusive programme broadcast on Facebook Live on Monday night.
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The Rantau assemblyman, who is BN deputy chairman, said the anger among Umno grassroots was palpable due to, among others, the actions of some Bersatu leaders who wanted to field candidates in Parliament and state seats previously held by Umno and BN.
“You (Bersatu) have the prime minister (post)… it’s all right, we agreed to that. Even though we do not have important positions, senior positions, it does not matter because we have succeeded in toppling DAP.
“That is the basis, but now you are saying that Umno is greedy for power, that you will not get a position. I want to ask: why can’t you take on the PKR (and) Amanah constituencies? The (number of) opposition constituencies are bigger. Add PKR, plus DAP, there are almost 100 seats,” he said.
The conflict between Umno and Bersatu took centre stage last weekend when more than 140 Umno divisions urged the party’s top leadership to stop their cooperation with Bersatu in GE15.-NST