SHAH ALAM: Despite the absence of its ally from Barisan Nasional, Selangor Pakatan Harapan flagged off its election machinery by painting a vision of unity and saving the country as it sought to defend its bastion ahead of the state polls.

Both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were a no-show even though the initial itinerary posted on Pakatan’s Facebook page stated that the Pakatan and Barisan chiefs would be present.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who was initially slated to attend as well, also gave the event a miss.

However, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu attended along with other Pakatan leaders such as Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo, PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim, Pakatan Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu, several state leaders, MPs and state assemblymen.

Themed #ArusMerahKuning, the machinery was launched by Selangor Pakatan chairman and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

In his speech, Amirudin assured those gathered that despite the absence of their partner in the unity government last night, Barisan would join them soon.

“Insya’Allah (God willing), our friends will come and be together with us.

“We can forget for a while the differences of the past because the important thing now is to unite to save and restore the country that was damaged by the Sheraton Move and Perikatan Nasional,” he said at the Shah Alam Independence Square here.

Amirudin also took jabs at Perikatan, saying that the country could not rely on them as Perikatan, under the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, was the “only government in history that has failed”.