Zahid: “There were opposition reps wanting to meet me and Anwar”

Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has admitted there were requests from opposition representatives to meet him and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss possible cooperation for the next general election.

(NST) – The Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, however, said he is not yet open to the idea or to meeting the representatives from the opposition bloc.

“There were ‘delegations’ wanting to meet me and Anwar. But I am not yet open to meeting them.

“I am reminded that I refused to be bitten by the same snake in the same place twice,” he said in his speech when he opened the Tebrau Umno division delegates’ meeting here last night.

Present were Johor Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman, who is also Tebrau Umno division chief; Pulai Umno division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed; and Tiram state assemblyman Azizul Bachok.

Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, reiterated that there were no official discussions held between Umno and Pas.

If there were meetings between leaders and members of the two parties, Zahid said it was done unofficially or in a personal capacity.

Zahid added that if Umno wishes to negotiate with other political parties, it must ensure the party is in a strong position.

“If we want to negotiate, we must make sure we are strong first. This is the ‘art of negotiation.’ If we are weak, don’t go to the negotiation table,” he said.

Zahid on Tuesday has denied claims that there were talks between Umno and Pas, and said no leaders from the Islamic party had met with him.

Narrowing down to Johor, Zahid believed that Umno and its allies in BN will continue to govern the state after the next state election, provided that all party members, especially at the branch level, remain united.

“Johor, under the leadership of the Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, remains a fortress and a ‘fixed deposit’ for Umno.

“As a fixed deposit, there are many heavy tasks that need to be done. Sabah used to be BN’s fixed deposit, but now it has fallen.

“There are several other states that used to be fixed deposits as well. Having said that, I am confident that if we address the issue of unity among us and revive the grassroots spirit, InsyaAllah, in the upcoming state election, Johor will remain under BN and Umno,” he said.