KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir reportedly rejected Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s claims that Perikatan Nasional (PN) will have the support of Umno grassroots in the coming state elections.
The claims were made as the personal view of a politician, he was reported as saying by The Star at a press conference at Wisma Putra.
“As a politician, he will claim this and that. That is his personal view and we have our own.
“We are confident in doing all we can to make the country stable and will continue to give our best services to the rakyat,” he was quoted as saying after chairing the second meeting of the consultative council on foreign policy.
The government is currently focused on ensuring political stability and restoring investors’ confidence in the country, Zambry, who is also the foreign minister, reportedly added.
“That is our focus under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has asked us to give full focus to rebuilding the country.
“So in terms of having support or not, we will see during the state elections. For us, we have the confidence to preserve the momentum to create more growth for the country,” he was quoted as saying.
Faizal Azumu reportedly said that he had received immense support from Umno grassroots members and leaders during his visit to Negeri Sembilan.
The Negeri Sembilan PN chairman also reportedly said that Umno grassroots had met with him privately for a discussion on how to ensure PN’s success in the state polls.
He reportedly went on to claim that he had met with all Umno and Wanita division leaders as well as Youth and Puteri officials in the state.
Besides that, Zambry said Malaysia will continue to act as a “middle power” in order to stabilise its position among global superpowers.
The country is situated strategically at the South China Sea and Straits of Melaka, which requires it to be practical in its approach, he reportedly added.
Malaysia’s neutral policies in not interfering with the matters of other nations were also important to show that it is not taking sides, he reportedly said.
When asked about the threat of artificial intelligence mentioned by the United Nations, he reportedly said that the discussion on it was only very general.
Other issues discussed include global economic challenges and forecasts along with effects of the trade war between the United States and China, he reportedly added.
