BATU PAHAT — Barisan Nasional (BN) is gearing up to win back seats currently held by Bersatu and PAS in the next general election, with its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declaring that Umno candidates will lead the charge.
Speaking at the closing of the Sri Gading Umno Division Delegates’ Meeting today, Zahid said the coalition would carry out detailed research and voter studies to identify winnable constituencies.
“We will work hard… and the seats will be recaptured by Umno candidates in the upcoming general election,” he said.
Also in attendance were Johor Menteri Besar and Umno state liaison chief Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, along with Sri Gading Umno Division chief Datuk Mohd Lassim Burhan.
Zahid, who also serves as Umno president and deputy prime minister, warned party members against being influenced by opposition narratives, particularly the “UMDAP” label, which he said was designed to undermine the current alliance between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“In BN, we also have MCA and MIC; in PH, there are DAP, PKR, and Amanah,” he said. “So let’s not fall for the opposition’s propaganda aimed at driving a wedge between BN and PH just so they can resort to the tebuk atap (backdoor) tactic again.”
He emphasised that the cooperation between BN and PH was a political reality that party members must accept and understand, particularly if Umno hoped to return to a position of strength.
“If we want to win, we must find a way to win. While we are in government, we must work seriously. We cannot expect victory if we are complacent, if we fight among ourselves, if we betray one another, or if we allow others to attack us without defending ourselves,” he added. — July 5, 2025