Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had personally witnessed Jamal’s efforts in helping the Chinese and Indians in the constituency.
“I have seen with my own eyes.
“Datuk Jamal, although he is branded as being anti-non-Malay, in reality isn’t like that. He is also fair to the non-Malays,” Zahid said when opening the Sungai Besar Umno division delegates meeting here.
Malay Mail Online said Zahid cited an incident in June, when Jamal had helped campaign for the release of two fishermen from Selangor who were arrested by Indonesian authorities for trespassing into the republic’s waters.
Chua Lee Teck, 45 and Heng Chee Yong, 29 from Bagan Sekinchan, were released on June 17 after being detained in Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia, since March 4.
The duo and four other fishermen from Pontian, Johor, were freed after Indonesian President Joko Widodo signed a pardon.
Jamal was among several BN leaders who had boarded two fishing boats to bring back the fishermen.
Jamal had organised a rally to “defend Malay honour” on Sept 16 last year to counter the alleged Chinese dominance seen in the Bersih 4 rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Jamal had also pledged to hold another mass gathering to counter the Bersih 5 rally being planned now.
Bernama reported that Zahid said Umno must pay heed to the interests of non-Malays because BN consistently received their support in general elections.
It quoted him as saying Umno would still need their support in the coming 14th General Election (GE14).
“For GE14, Umno, as the backbone of the BN, must take into consideration the interests of non-Malays to help BN win, with Malay support.”
He said BN’s victory in elections in Sabah and Sarawak was also because of the support of non-Bumiputeras.
As such, he said all Umno leaders must be seen to be fair so that the voters and people continued to appreciate and support BN.
He reminded Umno leaders to always prioritise unity and prepare for the general election rather than focus on party elections.
“What is the point of holding a post in the party but losing in the general election?”
Present was Selangor Umno Chief Noh Omar.
Earlier, Zahid also launched a book penned by Sungai Besar MP Budiman Mohd Zohdi titled “Buku Biru: 10 Sebab Budiman Pilih Umno” (“Blue Book: 10 Reasons Why Budiman Chose Umno”.