DAP cooperation remains key issue for Umno grassroots, says Ahmad Said

KUALA LUMPUR - Concerns over Umno’s cooperation with the Democratic Action Party (DAP) remain one of the main issues being raised by the party’s grassroots.

Umno Supreme Council (MKT) member Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the party must address the issue promptly as part of its preparations for the 16th General Election (GE16) and several upcoming state elections.

“We hope Barisan Nasional’s performance will improve in Johor and Melaka this time, because major victories in these two states will pave the way for success nationwide.

“We also do not want to repeat past mistakes. For example, we won in Melaka and Johor but when the general election was delayed, we lost in other states.

“If you look at the grassroots sentiment now, much of the concern centres on cooperation with DAP... this issue is being raised frequently,” he said.

Ahmad was speaking to reporters after the briefing session with the Umno president at Dewan Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL), here on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, when asked about Umno's chances of reclaiming states currently governed by the opposition, Ahmad Said, who is also a former Terengganu Menteri Besar said it would be possible if the people wanted change.

He said Terengganu voters would need to return to Umno if they hoped to see greater development in the future.

He added that voters in Terengganu differ from those in Kelantan, which has been governed by Pas for more than 30 years.

Ahmad claimed that since Pas took over the Terengganu administration in 2018, there has been no significant improvement in development for the people.

“I do not want Terengganu to become like Kelantan. Kelantanese tend to migrate or move elsewhere. In the Klang Valley, for instance, there are many people from Kelantan working in various sectors.

“But Terengganu is a little different. The tendency to migrate is lower,” he said.