No time to be upset like DAP members, by hook or by crook Umno must govern Selangor

SHAH ALAM – Selangor Umno members were reminded not to be upset over political trade-offs with the DAP, as what matter the most for the party is to end its decade-long consecutive electoral thrashings in the state finally.

Such was the advice from supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan to assuage any brewing ill-feeling following news of DAP grassroots’ disappointment over their party’s decision to vacate the Dusun Tua state seat to Umno.

“We have known nothing but defeats. In 2008, 2013 and 2018; loss, loss and loss. We only won three state seats in 2018 and won another one in the Semenyih by-election. So, a total of four seats.

“Now, we were given 12 state seats. If we win all of them, that is a major increment. The important thing is that once we win, we’ll get to be part of the Selangor government which we have not been able to since we lost in the 2008 General Election.

“Even if things get antsy between us [Umno and DAP] it will probably cool off after one day or two. There is no dispute here, trade-offs are normal. We must win Selangor,” he told Sinar Daily after attending a talk show at Karangkraf Mall, here today.

Earlier today, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, revealed that the Dusun Tua seat was exchanged with the Selangor Speaker post in which Loke explained that the party has nominated former Banting assemblyman Lau Weng San for the said role.

“We’ve vacated the Dusun Tua seat to (Umno) and we proposed a non-assemblyman to be the speaker. That is our condition,” said Loke during DAP’s Candidate Announcement Ceremony for Selangor polls at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Selangor has a total of 56 state seats and aside from Umno; PKR will be contesting in 20, followed by DAP in 15 and Amanah in 9 seats in the coming August 12 state polls.

Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan will also go to the polls on the same date.