MELAKA – Bersatu has scoffed Barisan Nasional’s (BN) promise of stability if it wins the state election this Saturday, saying the coalition is not entitled to make such vows.
Party information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said BN’s testimony of instability and infighting, which led to the collapse of federal and state governments, including in Melaka says a lot about their track record.
He said that during the campaigning, BN leaders and candidates have been selling themselves as a stable outfit.
Wan Saiful however stressed that the party that truly champions stability is Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“Just look at what happened to Perak, who caused the instability? Look at Johor. We can also see infighting at the federal level to a point of forcing a change in prime minister from the same government,” he told a press conference at Bersatu’s Hang Tuah Jaya headquarters.
“Who are the ones who withdrew support for their own government? It’s not PN, but the party supposedly offering stability in Melaka. To me, if they speak about stability, it is a joke.
“I feel the people of Melaka understand and realise that BN is not qualified to talk about stability.”
On the challenge posed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the state, Wan Saiful said the coalition appears to only be offering populist promises that are difficult to deliver, similar to its federal manifesto prior to the 2018 general election.
He said one clear example is PH’s chief minister candidate Adly Zahari’s vow to cease the sale of sand in the state altogether.
“The issue is not about the selling of sand. What people don’t agree on is the fighting over contracts involving politicians. Even the fall of the Melaka government is said to be caused by these contracts.
“What’s wrong if we handle the matter with integrity and transparency? Don’t believe all these populist promises, because this is PH’s character.”
Responding to concerns of low voter turnout, Wan Saiful said while some fear the Covid-19 pandemic, he has also received information that many refuse to cast their ballots as they are fed up with the constant squabbling for power.
However, he said it is specifically for this reason that it is pertinent that electorates fulfil their responsibilities and vote for PN, and grant the coalition a simple majority, to avoid further instability.
On PN’s action of getting supporters across the country to help its machinery in campaigning in Melaka and risking Covid-19 infections, Wan Saiful said the coalition was forced to do this.
“For us, we want to make sure the message is delivered to the voters (to vote for us). Without the campaigners, we can’t do it. It is not about us bringing machinery, but the root of the problem is those who triggered the election.
“This is something we do with a heavy heart. It’s not easy. We are all taking a health risk in doing this, we are forced to come here,” he said.
Separately, he said there is a certain party that was “arrogant” towards PN previously but is now considering cooperating with the coalition to form the state government together after the election.
“I think the rakyat knows which party I’m talking about,” he said, but stopped short of naming it. –The Vibes, November 17, 2021
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