DAP can take care of themselves in state polls, says Isham

Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil is resolute in his refusal to support DAP in the upcoming state elections.

(FMT) – In a Facebook video, Isham said his priority would be to support Umno candidates to ensure they could defeat those from Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“DAP can take care of themselves in the areas (they contest) since they have the support of Chinese voters. So we don’t have to worry about that, they can win without Umno’s support.

“Whoever wants to get mad at this statement of mine, go ahead,” he said.

Isham added that he has been consistent with his views on working with DAP, “unlike Annuar Musa”.

“Before the last election, when people asked whether Umno could cooperate with DAP, I said this would be difficult due to differences in ideology. See my response on this before and after GE15, as well as after the unity government was formed.

“I’ve always been consistent,” he said.

He said in contrast, Annuar, a former Umno veteran, had previously said cooperation between DAP and Umno was not impossible.

“Then he made an about-turn and is now criticising us,” Isham said.

He had previously warned that support for Umno will be eroded if it continues to demand that members support DAP candidates in the elections that are due to take place in six states within the next three months.

He was responding to Umno Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan, who said party members should look at DAP candidates in the upcoming state elections as representing the unity government rather than the party itself.

However, later Ahmad called for a stop to all the polemic surrounding his controversial statement and explained that Umno members would not have to vote for DAP as their logo was not on the ballot, as it was part of Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Commenting on the attendance of leaders from DAP and other members of the unity coalition at Umno’s general assembly today, Isham said they should be treated “like guests visiting during Hari Raya”.

Isham also said he hoped seat distribution for the upcoming state polls can be announced soon so that the machinery can begin preparations.