KUALA LUMPUR – As it is no longer a dominant political party in the country, Umno will not be contesting in every single state seat that is contested in the coming polls in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
The matter was revealed today by Umno Wanita Chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad who assuaged members to still do their best to ensure victories for not just Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) but also Pakatan Harapan (PH).
"And we also expect the same support from them (PH),” said Noraini in her keynote address as she kickstarted the wing’s general meeting for the year 2023 at the party HQ at Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre, here, today.
In her speech, Noraini also remarked that the ongoing alliance between BN and PH proved that -- contrary to what the latter has been claiming in the past – Umno is not a racist party after all.
"This cooperation shows that Umno and BN can put the country’s interest higher than its ego and dignity. Never have we imagined that we would be allying ourselves with our enemies.
"It also shows that Umno is a mature party that is able to adapt to changes and present situation, that it is not a party that is difficult to change its ways and that it is not a racist party.
"We played a very significant role in the formation of this unity government; led by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibraim with the support of the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is our President today,” said Noraini.
In last year's 15th General Election (GE 15), on Nov 19, Umno suffered its worst defeat at the national poll, winning only 26 parliamentary seats compared to the 54 that it won in GE14.
Despite its loss, Umno however, ultimately managed to form government with PH as GE15 ended in a hung parliament where not a single party had enough numbers to form government on their own.