SHAH ALAM – Amid mounting jeers of hypocrisy, Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) has come to the defence of its numero uno, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over the latter's decision to partner the coalition with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The state BN information chief Datuk Seri Jamad Md Yunos retorted that the "No Anwar! No DAP!" stance by BN -- aired at Umno's 2021 General Assembly -- was only relevant during the campaign in the recently-concluded 15th General Election (GE15).
"The slogan was only relevant when Umno/BN was not aligned with other parties and that slogan was also the one BN used during its campaign in GE15," said Jamal in response to a TikTok video by an Umno member who was needling on Zahid.
"I can say that the opinion of the Umno member, who claims to be a lawyer, was disrespectful towards Umno president (Zahid) and the decree from the Palace," Jamal added in his statement that was issued today.
He recounted how BN's alliance with its former political nemesis, PH, was partly due to the wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"It was His Majesty's wish, that the two coalition, BN and PH work together and form the current unity government," claimed Jamal.
He also rebutted the lawyer's argument who cited Article 8.1 of the Umno Constitution in driving home point of how Zahid had contravened the party's law by partnering with PH by citing Article 3 of the Umno Constitution instead.
Article 3 stated that Umno will always maintain its stance in defending the Federal Constitution which includes the position of Malay Kings, the religion of Islam and the privileges of Malays and Bumiputera.
"This means that Umno will always respect and comply with any orders issued by Istana Negara,” Jamal remarked.