BAGAN DATUK, Nov 7 — Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had no plans to launch verbal salvos at his Pakatan Harapan (PH) counterpart Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while on the campaign trail.

The Umno president also said campaigning for the general election (GE15) should centre on the policies that the winning party plans to introduce once it forms the next federal government.

"Why should we criticise each other? We should be portraying our party in the best light. We should be telling voters what we will do if chosen to form the next federal government,” he told reporters during a press conference at his residence here.

He added that character assassination should not be part of campaigning in a mature, democratic society.

Zahid also said that he had never verbally attacked any political figures while campaigning, let alone Anwar.

"All the media practitioners who follow me throughout my campaign here have never seen or heard me insulting anyone. Don’t single out anyone when it comes to this matter,” he added.

Labelling Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the "father of diversion”, Zahid said that the former prime minister is known for turning speculation into a false reality.

"And of course, he hopes this is the brand that he is selling when he formed his new party and coalition. And the people know that the rejection of Dr Mahathir has not only happened in Langkawi, but also across the country,” he said.

Yesterday, Anwar was reported as slamming Dr Mahathir for accusing him of scheming to form a PH-BN alliance with Zahid.

Anwar denied that was any truth to the claims and challenged his accusers to prove otherwise.