KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reinforced the party's support for the prime minister today.
In his policy speech at the Umno General Assembly this morning, Zahid relayed the party's backing for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, assuring that the party leadership was on his side.
"Prime Minister, I'm here together with the whole Umno Supreme Council to support and assist you. Those down here (delegates in the hall) will also be the election machinery for the upcoming state elections."
He rallied the support of Umno members, urging them to give their best effort to help wrest the six state governments.
"This is the time for them to be with the Madani government," he added.
Zahid also openly asked Anwar for Umno representatives to be part of the three Pakatan Harapan-led states, namely in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang.
"We want to defend our control in Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan. PM, don't forget… we want Umno representatives in the three state governments. Currently we have none," he said.
He also urged the people to give the Madani government, still in its infancy at seven months, a chance to implement "game-changer" initiatives.
He said he believed it could be done with the support of civil servants, who continue to be loyal to the government of the day.
"We know there are a small group of people who might still be inclined to certain leaders from the past. However, we are confident we will get civil servants on board to implement policies for the wellbeing of the people and the country."
He said Umno, which is part of the government, has a big role to play particularly with the coming state elections
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He said this was particularly important as the party was the "shield and fortress" which upholds the fundamentals of nationhood, including the position of Islam, the Malays, Bumiputera and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
Zahid said Umno would guarantee that the political cooperation that it forges among components of the unity government; and the stability it strives to maintain were for the interests of the country and the people.
He assured that the party would not allow any "power hungry" quarters to disrupt the country's political stability.
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