Zahid calls for Malay unity to maintain UMNO'S strength

Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi held a closed-door meeting on Saturday with Perlis UMNO leaders and called for Malay unity to maintain the party's strength, according to Perlis UMNO chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

"Our strength lies in unity ... this is what the Deputy Prime Minister wants. Therefore, we cannot continue to fight among ourselves," Shahidan said.

He said Ahmad Zahid said the other communities would respect a strong UMNO which they could also depend upon to represent them.

Shahidan, who is a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, spoke to reporters after the meeting which was also attended by UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor; UMNO information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan; Puteri UMNO chief Datuk Mas Ermiyati Samsudin and Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man, who is also Perlis UMNO deputy chairman.

Shahidan said the UMNO leaders raised matters such as GST (Goods and Services Tax), employment and other current issues which Ahmad Zahid addressed.

Shahidan also said that Perlis requested the federal government to consider reintroducing the free flow of people at Wang Kelian at the Perlis-Thailand border that was withdrawn on April 1.

He said the free flow was vital for the revival of business at the border.

However, he added, there had to be control on the entry of illegal immigrants before the facility could be reintroduced.