Amanah Man Explains Why Harapan Fielding Umno Defectors

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MALACCA POLLS | Amanah’s Khalid Samad said tactical thinking is behind Pakatan Harapan’s move to field Idris Haron and Nor Azman Hassan in the Malacca state election.
This comes as the coalition continues to come under fire for abandoning its principles in absorbing the former Umno representatives.
Both contributed to the collapse of the previous BN-Umno state government by defecting last month.
Idris, who served as a BN-Umno Malacca chief minister from 2013 to 2018, is now running in Asahan.
Nor Azman, a former state executive councillor, will be defending the Pantai Kundor seat he won in GE14.



In an online talk show last night, Amanah communications director Khalid (above) disclosed that Harapan hoped to tap into Idris’ and Nur Azman’s support base.




Former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron
It also wants to leverage existing discontent within Umno after the party’s state chief Ab Rauf Yusoh allegedly “axed” those aligned to Idris.
“Idris really has support in Asahan and if we combine his support base with our support base, Inshallah, we can win.
“It is the same in Pantai Kundor. Nor Azman is known there and he goes down to the ground. His support base combined with ours, means we can win.
“Similarly, there are Idris and Nor Azman supporters in other seats as well.
“When they see us helping their friends while they themselves have been axed by Rauf, they will support our candidates, Inshallah,” he said in response to questions about the duo.
The talk show was aired on the Facebook page of Amanah-linked Jom Channel.


Elaborating, Khalid attempted to defend Idris and Nor Azman from being branded political “frogs” by critics. For one, he contended not all defectors could be branded as traitors.
“They are not frogs. They were sacked.
“We need to explain that to voters,” he repeatedly said.
'Sinister motives'
To further prove his point, Khalid pointed to Idris’ claim that Umno leaders involved in a sand mining project had committed fraud. The MACC has since launched a probe.
He also denied that Harapan had compromised on its principles by absorbing them.
The Shah Alam MP further lamented the “embarrassment” he suffered after a media outlet published an article of him labelling the duo “principled frogs”.
Not naming the outlet, Khalid claimed he was “misquoted” and questioned if there were “sinister motives” behind the article.
“I never said that. I said they (Idris and Nor Azman) are not just any frogs but they have principles because they took a stance against abuse of power and irregularities committed by the (previous) BN-Umno state government.
“They have principles but they may be frogs,” he exclaimed. - Mkini

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