PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the coalition’s supporters to stop being “allergic” to PAS, in a clear indication of cooperation between the two sides in the Nov 14 Melaka election.
He said that while BN and PAS had often been at odds, this needed to change following the understanding reached between them.
“We now have a new friend. Previously, we were allergic to green, and green was allergic to blue.
“From tonight onwards, let us no longer be allergic. Green accepts blue, and blue accepts green,” he said at the launch of BN’s election machinery and announcement of its candidates at the Melaka International Trade Centre.
Zahid said the cooperation involved more than just seat allocations, adding that it must also translate into mutual grassroots support, with each side’s supporters helping their partners’ candidates in the constituencies they contest.
“Wherever we contest, God willing, their voters will also vote for us, and vice versa,” he said.
Zahid said rapport between the two sides needed to be built with the changing political landscape in mind.
“God willing, if we can establish this rapport, the tunnel towards Putrajaya will become brighter. We must adapt our political dynamics to the new political reality,” he said.
Zahid emphasised, however, that the understanding reached did not mean that the coalition would sacrifice its political principles.
“This understanding is not a licence to abandon our struggle. We are known for our principles. We will not sacrifice our principles; we will build together with our partners,” he said.