ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno is open to work together with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming state election while stressing that the 'big brother' issue does not arise between the two former political nemeses.
State Umno information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin expressed confidence that the leadership of both coalitions would reach an understanding ahead of the polls due to be held latest by July.
"The political demographic and landscape has changed, there is a need for strategic partnership.
"Every political party should openly accept each other's strengths and weaknesses and unite to win the state election.
"We acknowledge that Perikatan Nasional is in the best form, but both PH and Barisan Nasional's openness in seats allocation will change the situation and may mount strong challenges in a number of seats," he said in a statement today.
Shaiful added that Umno was open and in the best position to hold talks to achieve the goal of dismantling the pride and ego of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
"The issue of big brother does not arise as all the while, Umno does not carry such an attitude," he said.
Shaiful said he believed that top leadership from both coalitions would hold discussions ahead of the state polls.
"Both sides (BN and PH) share the same mission to end Pas-led PN's administration in Kedah which is only good at making 'mega announcements' but lack tangible results for the people," he said.
Shaiful was responding to the statement by Kedah PH chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar earlier today, calling for both PH and BN to shed the 'big brother' attitude in roundtable discussions over the allocation of seats for the upcoming state polls.
Mahfuz was reported as saying that both sides should accept the fact that each coalition would have to take smaller share in the distribution of 36 seats up for contest in the state election.
Six states, namely Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, had earlier decided not to hold state elections together with the general election in November last year, since it was held during the annual monsoon flood season.
The current State Legislative Assembly term for the state six states is due to expire by July.