KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional will open its doors to anyone interested in joining it, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Hamzah was responding to the former prime minister’s willingness to join the coalition.
The federal constitution provides the freedom to all citizens to join whichever political entity they deem fit, he added.
“Everyone can have their own opinions, thoughts and feelings, and they have the right to join any party they want.
“As for PN, we are an alliance that will accept anyone who respects the terms of our constitution without condition.”
Dr Mahathir in an interview with Malaysiakini said he will work with PN if certain corrupt Umno individuals are no longer part of the coalition.
“Yes, if they are no longer there.”
Dr Mahathir admitted to ongoing attempts by those in PN to rope him in, but rejected the advances as he did not want to work together with certain individuals, such as Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He also admitted that when Bersatu first split with Pakatan Harapan during the infamous Sheraton Move in February last year, the party had proposed that he led the new coalition with Umno and PAS.
However, the Langkawi MP rejected the offer as he did not want to be the prime minister for a party he had fought against, he said in reference to Umno.
On a separate matter, Hamzah vowed stern action against individuals who have allegedly assaulted two male workers for fasting.
“I have asked police to investigate the matter further and to get more details.
“Doing something that can cause dissatisfaction, especially when it relates to fasting, is a huge issue.
“The two individuals (victims) are Muslims who just want to fast, why are non-Muslims forcing them to not fast? This is something wrong.”
In a report yesterday, an individual claimed that his employer and several others had assaulted him and his friend supposedly for fasting.
The victims were beaten in turns on their backs by a cane, with the employer insulting and threatening them while pointing a gun in their direction.
Police have since arrested four individuals, with the case being investigated under Sections 324, 506 and 298 of the Penal Code.
South Klang police chief Shamsul Amar Ramli, however, said the case does not involve any racial issue, and advised the public to not share any provocative statement that can inflame racial sensitivities. – The Vibes, April 15, 2021
