ALOR SETAR - The statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, stressing that 'a vote from an Umno member to the opposing party is a significant betrayal to the nation, party, and religion', should not be viewed as a threat.
Kedah BN chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said that Anwar's statement was made to ensure that all Umno members vote for the party in the upcoming state elections, and not to embark on 'protest vote' against Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is now a coalition partner with BN.
"It's not a threat, it should be as such. Any members of the party should vote for th coalition instead of the opposition.
"We as Umno members not voting for Umno would be known to the public as a party betrayal," he said in a press conference on Sunday.
Mahdzir said that Anwar's statement was also a reminder to those Umno members who have left or been sacked from the party, but are still in the public eye.
"If they vote for the opposition, it would be seen as an act of betrayal," he said.
Anwar made the statement at the Madani Unity Tour and Kedah Machinery Launching Ceremony in Padang Awam Guar Chempedak on Saturday.
He said that the actions of Umno members and even former Umno members voting for the opposition in politics was a major betrayal to the race, party, and religion.
Mahdzir said that he is confident that BN members and PH have understood the concept of the unity government and will support each other.
"Since the establishment of the BN-PH cooperation, I believe the public understood the meaning of unity government.
"I admit there are some worries, but we are trying our best in most of our respective areas to provide an understanding that BN and PH now have established the unity government and were a part of the government," he said.