Former UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) should not be made the scapegoat for issues involving unfulfilled promises made to the people.
Khairy questioned the actions of certain parties that continued blaming UMNO and BN whenever promises made to voters were not delivered.
“I see every time they go on stage, they blame BN and UMNO. Even when promises are not fulfilled, UMNO is blamed. That is not a position we can accept.
“When promises cannot be delivered after making various commitments during campaigns, they say it is because UMNO and BN are part of the government. Is that how you appreciate a partner?” he said during a Negeri Sembilan state election campaign programme in Lenggeng today.
He said BN had chosen to remain professional by continuing its support for the Unity Government until the end of its term to ensure political stability and protect the country’s interests.
Khairy said the decision was important as Malaysia is still facing economic challenges and uncertainties caused by global geopolitical developments.
He added that although BN had taken a different approach at state level, including forming an understanding with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Negeri Sembilan state election, the move should not be viewed as an attempt to undermine the federal government.
“The flexibility of politics today requires us to adopt slightly different approaches at the state level.
“I respect the maturity shown by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in maintaining cooperation at the federal level for the sake of national stability,” he said.
Khairy said with only about a year remaining in the current government’s term, there was no need to withdraw support or push for an early general election.
However, he believed the developments in Negeri Sembilan could provide voters with an indication of possible political changes in the next general election.
“We have to be mature in handling this situation. What happens in Negeri Sembilan could show an early signal and picture of changes that may happen in the next general election,” he said.
