KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Umno members who find it difficult to cast votes for election candidates from former rival DAP in next month’s state elections would be better off abstaining, Parti Amanah Negara’s communications director Khalid Abdul Samad said.

He said that it was a better option than voting for Perikatan Nasional (PN), Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia, reported today.

Khalid said DAP candidates are usually fielded in non-Malay majority seats, but acknowledged that there are Umno members who find it difficult to vote for their former political rival.

"But if that is what happens, if it feels like it’s very difficult to vote for DAP candidates who are the unity government’s candidates, better not to come out and vote,” he was quoted as saying.

Khalid said votes for PN would be a disadvantage to Pakatan Harapan (PH) — which DAP and Amanah are part of — and would allegedly cause the demise of Barisan Nasional (BN) — of which Umno is a component party.

The newspaper had contacted Khalid for comments to the strong racial sentiments being played up and allegations that Malay voters were running away from Umno as they allegedly were unable to accept the party’s unity ties with DAP.

PH and BN are now part of the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Khalid was also reported saying Umno voters should focus on defeating PN as it is a coalition which aims to replace the party, and said PH is not the one threatening BN’s survival.

"Their voters have to understand, Umno BN is working to ensure survival. The one that can kill off Umno BN is PN, not PH.

"These state elections will determine whether BN can continue to live or die, now all BN supporters should take the opportunity to have PN defeated, because the one that can replace Umno is PN. PN is the one purportedly wanting to take the Malay-Islam struggle, while PH carries a different call,” he was quoted as saying.

Voting for the six state elections for Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will be held on August 12.