BERA: The "one vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) is a vote for Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi" narrative is a desperate attempt by the opposition to win support from the people in the 15th General Election (GE15), said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.
He said these tactics were nothing new since the opposition had resorted to similar manoeuvring previously to fish for support and votes.
Ismail Sabri dismissed this claim and reiterated that the Umno Supreme Council and the motion passed at the party's general assembly had stated he was the prime minister-designate if BN returned to power after the Nov 19 polls.
"Voters have changed. They have become more mature and can make their own decision instead of falling for the same narrative.
"Unlike the opposition, BN is committed to its election campaign to prove that it can protect the wellbeing of the people."
He said this after attending the 'Kenduri Rakyat' programme in Kemayan here.
The caretaker prime minister said he would ensure that voters understood all plans to be introduced by BN to improve their livelihood in the event the coalition received the mandate to form the next government.
Ismail Sabri, who is defending Bera, which he has held since 2004, said he was a believer in "clean politics" and that he would try to meet as many people in the parliamentary constituency when campaigning.
He said people, especially the younger generation, were more keen to listen to facts and track records rather than falling for candidates who resorted to personal attacks in their campaign.
People, he said, could see the track record and capability of the administration under his leadership in developing and prospering the country.
He added that a BN government would never resort to empty promises and lies to win votes.
"The 2023 Budget is not an 'overpromise' as claimed by the opposition, which looks incapable of implementing the financial plan if it came into power.
"The government has ensured that it is has the financial capability to implement all the initiatives and programmes in the 2023 Budget."
