ALOR GAJAH: Cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) machinery in the Melaka election has improved, with both sides increasingly working together on the campaign trail.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the development was a good sign for BN and its candidates.
He said the cooperation was better than during the Negri Sembilan election, when the machinery of both coalitions campaigned separately.
He said this was evident in Melaka, where BN and PN campaign machinery had been attending campaign programmes together, particularly night ceramah.
“PN machinery has been helping in areas contested by BN, while BN machinery has also been instructed to give full support in areas contested by PN.
“Usually, at night, we can see representatives of the campaign machinery, voters and supporters, regardless of party affiliation, particularly from BN and PN, coming together.
“In areas contested by BN, we can see PN machinery lending a hand. Likewise, the leadership and I have instructed BN machinery in areas contested by PN to give their full support,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the Program Santai Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki bersama pengundi at the operations room for the Durian Tunggal state constituency in Taman Angkasa Nuri here today.
Also present were BN candidate for the Durian Tunggal seat Datuk Dr Mustafa Musa and former Durian Tunggal assemblyman Datuk Zahari Khalil.
Asyraf Wajdi said BN’s campaign in Melaka had been more subdued, with the focus on its performance and service record rather than attacks against political opponents.
He said the people could assess for themselves the performance of caretaker Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh’s administration, as well as the service delivered by the 21 BN assemblymen who were given the mandate in the previous election.
He added that some Pakatan Harapan candidates had even acknowledged that BN’s administrative performance was difficult to criticise.
Asyraf Wajdi said the people of Melaka wanted a responsible government and hoped those elected would emulate previous leaders who had served the people regardless of race.
He also reminded party machinery to campaign responsibly and refrain from insulting, disparaging, slandering or making baseless allegations against their opponents throughout the campaign period.