[UPDATED] Bagan Datuk voters can tell what’s diamond and glass, Zahid tells Tawfik

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed Gerak Independent (GI) candidate Mohd Tawfik Ismail to contest the Bagan Datuk seat, following the latter’s decision to wrest the constituency from the former in the coming 15th general election (GE15). 

However, Zahid appeared to deliver a veiled warning to Tawfik, saying that voters in the constituency are astute enough to differentiate between leaders of quality and those who are not up to the job. 

“Bagan Datuk voters are smart enough to choose between diamond and glass…they will definitely elect a candidate who will best represent them,” he said during a press conference after the Bagan Datuk Umno division annual meeting today. 

“They will not vote based on hatred, or to belittle anyone who is seen as not being up to par with the capabilities of a former MP and a son to a former deputy prime minister.” 

Tawfik, who once held the Sg Benut (now Simpang Renggam) parliamentary constituency from 1986 to 1990 as an Umno lawmaker, is also the son of the late Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, the former deputy prime minister.

On Thursday (October 13), Tawfik said he will take on Zahid in Bagan Datuk during GE15 to show Malay voters more progressive Malay leaders than those touted by Umno and PAS. 

The task is set to be an uphill battle for Tawfik as his contender, Zahid, has controlled the constituency undefeated since he first secured the seat in 1995.

Meanwhile, Zahid also issued another indirect warning to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang over the latter’s assertions that working with Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) now would be akin to harvesting an unripe durian fruit. 

“I am worried because the durian has sharp thorns and when it falls, whoever is under the tree might suffer injuries.

“Don’t play around with durians. Whether they are ripe, just wait,” he said.

Zahid added that while he could easily expose the indiscretions of leaders who he declined to name, he is refraining from doing so as he is a man of faith. 

On Friday (October 14), Hadi claimed that PAS is slamming the brakes on cooperation with BN over “cloudiness” surrounding unresolved bribery cases and greed for power among the coalition’s leaders. 

Meanwhile, Zahid also stressed that Umno’s landslide wins in the Melaka and Johor elections in November last year and March this year, respectively, should not be used as a “benchmark” and reason for the party to take a lackadaisical attitude towards GE15 preparations. 

“We must be self-critical and ask ourselves why we suffered a loss of support during the previous general election,” he said, noting that BN and Umno’s decision to face the national polls solo will be a test of strength. 

“The resolve to face GE15 solo does not mean that we (BN and Umno) are in the comfort zone…(GE15) is the mother of all general elections. We have been through 14 previous federal polls and GE15 will be very tough,” he said. 

During the 2018 polls, Pakatan Harapan secured a historic win, momentarily ending BN’s reign since the country gained independence.   

Zahid also called Umno an “underdog” party that will collaborate with local non-governmental organisations and leaders of religious institutions to ensure political stability for the nation’s plural society.

“Our target is to regain support from not only voters but also from our fellow Malaysians as a whole…we need to put in the effort to work together as true Malaysians and do away with our ideological and political differences,” he said. 

“BN has to emerge as a multi-racial party that emulates national agendas (which can) offer changes to our voters.” 

Earlier on, Zahid, who is also BN chairman, had announced that BN will be contesting in 191 parliamentary seats in GE15, noting that parties recognised as “Friends of BN” will be given a chance to contest under the coalition’s banner for the first time. 

“Friends of BN” include Makkal Sakti, Parti Cinta Malaysia, the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress, Parti Punjabi Malaysia, the Malaysian Indian United Party, and the Malaysian Indian Progressive Front. – The Vibes, October 16, 2022