It is not easy to foster love between PH, BN

SHAH ALAM - Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan's call for the party's voters to support DAP candidates in the upcoming state elections is like giving 'the ball' to the opponent.

Although he did not 'directly' ask party members to support DAP, but rather the Unity Government candidate, he still gave the message that traditional Umno voters will now need to vote for DAP candidates.

Like it or not, Umno needs to realise that it would difficult to persuade voters of this alternate reality,of going from the campaign of ' No DAP' to 'support DAP'.

This is evident when some Umno leaders have begun speaking out to show their discomfort with the call, including voters who were observers. For example, the party's Iskandar Puteri Division, Deputy Head Datuk Pandak Ahmad believes thatt Umno members and supporters should be given the right and freedom to vote for any candidate in the state elections.

As for Johor Umno youth member, Noor Azleen Ambros the party does not need to be an official spokesperson for other parties and has described the call by Ahmad Maslan as inappropriate.

Similarly, Negeri Sembilan UMNO Chairman, Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias is of the opinion that Umno does not need this current brand of campaigning because it could be misinterpreted and create a negative perception especially among Umno voters. He said instead the party should try to convince the people that the government formed today is the best.

Although UMNO leaders have often explained the relationship between the two opposing coalition parties as obeying the orders of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, it turns out that this reality is still difficult to accept.

The theory is the same as ' forced marriage', it is not easy for love to come. It takes time, not instantly.

In fact, Umno President, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also recently admitted that the party faces a difficult task in persuading its members to accept the presence of DAP as an ally.

However, at the same time, he defended the recommendation and call for Umno supporters to vote for DAP on the grounds that in the new political environment, the parties under the Unity Government need to stop being nostalgic about the past, but instead move forward to find common ground.

The statement made by Ahmad Maslan triggered MCA, which has been close allies with Umno for a long time, to the extent that its Secretary General, Datuk Chong Sin Woon issued a statement reminding Zahid to stick to principles and be careful in all matters related to relations or cooperation between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He was reported as saying that Zahid needs to prioritise component parties of Barisan Nasional(BN), not PH especially DAP.

In this regard Umno should not forget the loyalty of MCA who never left the Barisan Nasional (BN) family even though the party was badly rejected by the people in the 15th General Election (GE15).

UMno should be smarter in campaigning to win the hearts of voters, instead of asking for DAP's support because this strategy could prove to be a bane for the party.

The remaining period before the state elections needs to be fully utilised to explain to the grassroots about the positives of today's political changes that is able to function well for the benefit of the people.