PONTIAN: The main issues plaguing six states set to face elections soon are expected to dominate proceedings at the Umno General Assembly this Wednesday.

Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said these include Kelantan's water woes as well as claims that Penang rightfully belongs to Kedah, which are expected to be hotly debated by the delegates.

Ahmad, who is also Umno secretary-general, said the main issues raised by the delegates will help Umno members focus on how to improve its election machinery and strategy during the campaigns.

"Delegates from Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah will and are encouraged to raise issues affecting their states.

"In Kelantan, for example, there's the never-ending issue of water supply. I Kedah, there is the issue of them staking a claim to Penang. These are the examples of issues which could be raised at the assembly, as well as others that affect the people," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending a 'kenduri' at Kampung Permatang Duku, Benut, here on Saturday night.

Kelantan's water issue has seen the state government submit an application for RM8 billion to the federal government to help resolve the problem.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, meanwhile, courted controversy when he claimed that Penang still belonged to Kedah.

The Umno Supreme Council had set June 7 to 10 as the date for the assembly.

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the date was set earlier to enable its election machinery to focus on the six upcoming state elections.

Meanwhile Ahmad, who is also Pontian member of parliament, hoped that delegates would make full use of the assembly to devise strategies on how to draw new voters in the state elections.

"This general assembly must serve as the opener for the state elections. Holding it earlier would give plenty of room to Umno to prepare for the polls, which are expected to be hotly-contested.

"Umno, as one of the main parties in the unity government, has to help the other candidates in the polls in order to strengthen the 19 party-strong unity government."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/06/916541/kelantan-water-issue-kedah-claim-penang-among-issues-be-raised-umno