'Zahid has made Umno ride on the coattails of DAP' - Wan Saiful

SHAH ALAM - Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's move to forge cooperation with DAP has resulted in many party members feeling uncomfortable and wishing to migrate to another party.

Upon realising the impact of this, the deputy prime minister has desperately been attempting to tarnish Perikatan Nasional (PN)'s image, claims Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

"Zahid is becoming desperate because the state elections are nearing.

"He had made Umno a party that was riding on the coattails of DAP. Now the grassroot members are surely uncomfortable and want to leave the party.

"I see that his current actions are focused on diverting people's attention away (from Pakatan Harapan) and its failures, which are becoming more visible," he said in a Facebook post on Friday.

Zahid recently ordered the Communications and Digital Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to monitor posts with racial and religious narratives played by political leaders on social media and take actions accordingly.

The Rural and Regional Development Minister said, according to the report by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), politicians use religious and racial issues through social media for political gain.

He said that when it comes to national development, a culture of respect for religion and race must be applied to all parties, regardless of political differences.

Wan Saiful also rejected the notion that the PN was a coalition that was racial in nature.

He added that PN had always fought for the common prosperity of the country to be enjoyed by all parties, regardless of religion and race.

"As PH-Umno fails to care for the welfare of its people, we in PN will continue to speak on matters like the targeted Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawal, price control, cost of living assistance, and many more," he explained.

He said it's definite that the Unity Government has lost support from Malay voters.

"It is a fact that must be discussed openly by all who are concerned about the direction of the country, not only politicians but also academics, NGOs, and the public," he explained.