After BN’s denial, Umno veterans urge DAP to stay out of Nenggiri

The Umno Veterans’ Club has urged DAP not to play any part in the Nenggiri by-election campaign, a day after Barisan Nasional denied claims it did not want certain allies in the government to hit the campaign trail with them.

(FMT) – Umno Veterans’ Club secretary Mustapha Yaakub respected DAP’s intention to help BN woo the Orang Asli, but said the party would be ineffective in the campaign as the Orang Asli in Nenggiri spoke Malay and were Muslim Bumiputera.

He also expressed concern that DAP’s presence could cause confusion among the community and affect their support at the poll, which BN is contesting.

“(DAP’s participation) will also be turned into an issue by the opposition to add to the anger of Umno-BN voters.

“Therefore, it would be better for DAP’s machinery not to join the campaign. They can instead assist in other forms, such as supporting Umno-BN’s campaign in Nenggiri,” he said in a statement.

Yesterday, BN said there was a fake statement, supposedly from coalition chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, stating that certain allies in the unity government were barred from speaking at rallies.

The coalition described the claim as political manoeuvres intended to divide the unity government.

However, Umno’s Nenggiri by-election director Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was reported to have called for DAP to stay away from the campaign trail, saying there was no reason for the Pakatan Harapan component to take part since Nenggiri was “100% Malay”.

Nominations for the Nenggiri by-election have been scheduled for Aug 3 and polling on Aug 17.

The by-election was called after the state seat was declared vacant following the cessation of incumbent Azizi Abu Naim’s membership in Bersatu on June 13.

Kelantan Umno Youth chief Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani is contesting the seat for BN.