BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has told the grassroots leadership of parties in the unity government to strengthen their party machineries, ahead of the six state elections.

He said the leaders should work towards finding common ground.

“Let’s invite our friends from other political parties to eat and drink together. 

“This is to ensure compatibility among machineries at the branch level, which will make our work easier,” he said at the Kedah state-level unity government convention this morning.

“Learn from each other. Share knowledge and expertise with each other.”

The deputy prime minister said BN is committed in supporting the unity government. 

He said the cooperation among the 19 parties in the unity government is the true Malaysian spirit, which is the new political reality of the country. 

“People who are divided say why must they be friends with DAP, the enemy of Umno and BN. 

“If we Umno people can accept MCA who represent the Chinese, Umno can accept the MIC who represent the Indians and Gerakan who represent the Chinese and various races, then there is no difference with DAP who not only represent the Chinese but other races. 

“There are Malay and Indian MPs representing DAP. This is the new political reality and we accept our friends with true genuine Malaysian spirit,” he said. 

“The political marriage of the unity government is a permanent one. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I will be together with the grassroots leadership to continue to maintain unity in the unity government,” he said. 

Zahid said he is confident the coalition government will be able to capture Kedah in the state polls.  

“We know that Kedah and Terengganu are ‘swing states’. This time, God willing, we will win back these states,” he said. – May 21, 2023.