PENDANG - Kedah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir has condemned the statement made by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, suggesting that every political party should compete without relying on government funds and resources.
Mahdzir dismissed Sanusi's remarks as empty rhetoric, stating that it is inevitable to utilise government property while being in power.
He highlighted the importance of avoiding excessive propaganda and incongruous actions when governing.
"Once a party assumes power, regardless of their promises or what some may call 'mere lip service,' it is widely known that government resources will be utilised.
"There is no need to separate the government from the political sphere excessively. During state elections, both the federal and state governments must maintain professionalism," he said.
Mahdzir urged political leaders to display emotional intelligence and refrain from employing extreme tactics in their political endeavors.
He pointed out that there is no necessity for such approaches, as Umno and Barisan Nasional have already educated the people over the past 65 years since independence.
"We don't need to engage in daily slander of others; instead, we should focus on communicating our own objectives. Acting in a manner that seems to relish in criticizing others is unnecessary," Mahdzir added.
Regarding recent developments, Mahdzir expressed confidence that voters now possess a clearer understanding after experiencing confusion during the 15th General Election (GE15).
He acknowledged that the confusion stemmed from the fact that Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional (PN) were once the ruling parties.
"At that time, we couldn't entirely blame them for the confusion. However, they now have a better grasp of the situation. In Putrajaya, BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are the parties in power, while here, PN, Pas, and Bersatu form the opposition. That's why I reiterated the same tagline twice," Mahdzir added.