ALOR STAR: Former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has run out of ideas in saying there is a pact of the highest order between Umno and Pas for the latter to lead Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu after the next polls, says state Umno Youth leader Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin.
In calling the remark baseless as well as a political strategy that was both immature and foolish, Shaiful said it was an attempt by Mukhriz to be a modern day fortune teller, to pave the way for Parti Amanah Negara (PAN), since he was very cordial with the top leadership of the party.
“The fact is that Umno and Barisan Nasional in Kedah do not need a hidden pact, more so with Pas having been its clear cut rival all this while.
“The close relationship between Umno and BN component parties is enough to face the challenges from back then until now.
“Umno and BN are now much stronger, with a fresh idealism struggle and a steady machinery under the leadership of Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, as compared to under Mukhriz,” he said in a statement today.
Shaiful, who is also Bashah’s political secretary, said Umno’s strength lay in the support of over 2,000 branches, the consensus of all 15 divisions, as well as close working relations among religious scholars, civil servants in the state, youngsters, professionals and entrepreneurs.