Mahkota polls: Keep cool, Zahid tells govt parties as campaign enters home stretch

KLUANG: With polling in the Mahkota by-election less than two days away, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged unity government component parties to maintain their cordial ties.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Umno president, said there should not be any statements issued that could hurt the feelings of others.

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“Let us not, at the last moment, make statements that hurt our friends’ hearts.

“We also ask our friends not to utter any words that will hurt our hearts either,” he said in his speech at the Felcra Madani Santuni Rakyat programme in Paloh here on Thursday (Sept 26).

He also urged everyone to pray for clear skies and good weather on polling day which falls on Saturday (Sept 28).

Ahmad Zahid said it was better for unity government members to keep their eyes and ears open, rather than their mouths.

“Hold it in even if you do not agree with something. We will not lose anything that way, but we will lose if we (speak harshly) of others,” he said.

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Ahmad Zahid said generous and kind gestures would be reciprocated with an open heart, “and that is what we want”.

He said the new political landscape had brought different viewpoints and ideologies together in the spirit of unity, and reminded Umno members to remain humble if the party emerges victorious from the by-election.

The Mahkota by-election is a straight contest between Barisan candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah and Perikatan Nasional’s Mohamad Haizan Jaafar.

The state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, on Aug 2.