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Bersatu Youth booed at BN event, told to prove their worth to Umno's Slim candidate

Bersatu Youth booed at BN event, told to prove their worth to Umno's Slim candidate
Bersatu Youth booed at BN event, told to prove their worth to Umno's Slim candidate

SLIM POLLS | Bersatu Youth representatives were given a less than hospitable treatment at the launch of BN Youth's election machinery for the Slim by-election this afternoon.

The crowd of BN supporters repeatedly booed when Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mentioned the splinter party which is now looking to formally join Muafakat Nasional, an alliance comprising Umno and PAS.

Adding to the apparent humiliating treatment was Zahid telling the Bersatu youth wing, which goes by the name "Armada", to prove its worth in the by-election.

"In Chini and Slim (by-elections), there was Bersatu's Armada (the crowd booed).

"In Slim, prove that they are sincere to us. Prove that they are honest with us.

"We support the prime minister and Perikatan Nasional, but we want the parties that we support to show their honesty and sincerity," he said in a spirited speech.

Zahid was the guest of honour at the launch in Trolak, which is around 9km away from Slim River town.

Three Bersatu Youth representatives, including Perak Bersatu Youth chief Mohd Hafez Mubin Mohd Salleh, were present on the stage when Zahid delivered his speech. Several PAS Youth representatives were also present.

In his speech, Zahid said Bersatu's role would come into question if it fails to attract at least 6,000 votes for BN in the Slim by-election.

"I want to see 6,000 votes which went to Bersatu (in the general election) go to the BN candidate.

"If they can't attract 6,000 or 8,000 votes, we must ask, what's the value of political cooperation with them?

"Yes, we are together in the government, but don't make us unimportant (melukut di tepi gantang).

"If they want to share, share it in the real sense. We don't want to see Umno being used as the stepping stone. Please don't mess with BN and Muafakat Nasional," he said.

On the other hand, Zahid lauded PAS for its loyalty and honesty as a partner.

"Although they (PAS) never fielded a candidate in any by-election, their loyalty and honestly were undisputed," he said.

[More to follow]

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