ROMPIN: Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says DAP has provided guarantees to accept and comply with the four articles enshrined in the Federal Constitution, including on the position of Islam and the special rights of Malays.
Zahid, who is also Umno president, said the other two articles relate to the Malay rulers and the Malay language, adding that the guarantee was provided by DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook during a meeting between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) before the formation of the unity government.
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan and Umno secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir were also present at the meeting.
“My first question as BN president was what about the position of Islam, Malay rights, Malay language and the Malay rulers? When the question was posed, the DAP secretary-general replied, we are the new DAP, new leadership and we accept all articles in the constitution, including those four,” Zahid said in a speech at a gathering at Dewan Terbuka Rompin here today. Also present at the gathering were Mohamad, Zambry and Pahang menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
He added that party grassroots need not worry because as Umno president and BN chairman, he would never sell them out and would ensure the party remains relevant to continue championing the rights and needs of the people.
“I told myself and all levels of the party … this is our test. We must persevere. Do not let our differences in opinion lead to a split.
“Close ranks and unite so that Umno and BN can continue to be relevant not only in the unity government but also for the future. We promise to serve the people together with our friends in the government,” he said, as he reminded BN elected representatives at state and parliamentary levels to serve the people throughout their entire five-year term and not just in “seasons”.
Zahid also urged those voting in the Tioman state elections to choose BN candidate Johari Hussain as a show of support for the unity government, both in Pahang and at the federal level.
He also promised to assist development in Tioman as prioritised by Wan Rosdy, including upgrading the cargo jetty in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, building a new mosque in Felda Selendang and constructing a mini stadium in Kampung Kolam here.
The election for the Tioman state seat will take place tomorrow following its postponement after the death of Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Yunus Ramli, 61, hours before polling began on Nov 19.
The election will see a contest between Johari, Nor Idayu Hashim (PN), Osman A Bakar (Pejuang) and independent candidate, Sulaiman Bakar.
PH candidate Fadzli Ramly, whose name would still be on the ballot papers, withdrew from the contest following the decision by PH after it cooperated with BN to form the Pahang state government as no party achieved a simple majority of 22 state seats.