By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — The alliance between Barisan Nasional (BN), specifically Umno, and Pakatan Harapan has proven to be advantageous for Harapan, allowing it to tap into Umno's extensive network and penetrate rural constituencies, said Amanah communications director Khalid Samad.
He said Harapan had previously grappled with overcoming social barriers in Malay-majority rural areas, where both Umno and PAS have maintained consistent control over their core supporters.
This alliance between the two coalitions is similarly a boon for BN and Umno, as it enables them to tap into Harapan’s extensive network in urban areas, thus creating a symbiotic relationship.
“What happened with this Unity Government, where Harapan is now working together with BN, is really a blessing in disguise. We get to access the network available under Umno, which has cawangans (referring to small party chapters in rural areas).
“We get to meet these people in a more open environment; in turn, they get to know us better, and vice-versa. In that manner, we began to impact the rural Malay community.
“For Umno, it is also a boon as they can access and interact more with urban voters and non-Malays, so they can better understand urban voters.
“I think this is a relationship with great potential. It may well be a coalition in the making, a strong coalition that will last for a few general elections.
“As far as Harapan and Umno are concerned, our emphasis is on good governance, which I think the current and future Umno leadership can agree to, even though there may have been (corruption) cases in which some among their ranks were previously involved in,’’ Khalid said during the Selangor Journal’s state election daily show, Lunch on Us.
Taking the ongoing Selangor State Election as a case in point, he said it remains to be seen if whether BN supporters will rally behind Harapan, with the optimal outcome of 70 per cent of BN supporters casting their votes for Harapan candidates.
[caption id="attachment_320529" align="aligncenter" width="788"]
Selangor Pakatan Harapan chairman Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari speaking to a crowd of thousands at the Ceramah Arus Merah Kuning in conjunction with the state elections at Subang Bestari in Subang, Shah Alam, on July 29, 2023. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"In Selangor, a 50 - 50 split would be the worst-case scenario. If the votes are split down the middle, it neutralises Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) advantage and does not impact us adversely if we are already leading in the polls.
"However, it would be concerning if 70 per cent of Umno supporters side with PN. Nevertheless, I am confident this will not happen as Umno has been working hard," Khalid said.
The acting Kelantan Amanah's election campaign director said the cooperation between Harapan and BN has yielded positive results.
This is particularly evident during the nightly ceramahs and engagement sessions, where these events have witnessed the participation of both Harapan and BN supporters, drawing in larger and more enthusiastic crowds.
He also rebuked the Islamist party PAS, who often campaigned on nativist sentiments in their efforts to consolidate political power.
"They often declare that Islam is under 'threat'. Consequently, they argue that 'when we (PAS) hold power, Islam will no longer be under threat'. This leads them to assert that 'the national issue of Islam being under threat has been resolved’. So, what else could you desire? Is it Islam or clean water that you want?' That is the crux of their political propaganda. If you dismantle that narrative, they stand with nothing.
"They profess an ambition to take over Selangor. Yet, I have often wondered, what contributions have you made to the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah, which you govern?
“Kelantan has been under your administration for 33 years. Present us with your CV, accomplishments, and track record, then appeal to the people of Selangor, 'Look, I have achieved this, and if I were to take charge of Selangor, I would surpass these feats.
"But they have failed to do so. They amplify the narrative of Islam under threat while relegating all other issues to secondary status — be it addressing economic issues or the national debt, all these are deemed secondary," said Khalid.
[caption id="attachment_320462" align="aligncenter" width="826"]
Police personnel overseeing the crowd of supporters during the nomination of state election candidates at the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), Batu Caves, on July 29, 2023. — Picture by MOHD YUSNI ARIFFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
