KUALA LUMPUR – There has been no discussion among Umno’s Supreme Council members on whether the party would consider working with PKR or other component parties in Pakatan Harapan (PH), said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
As long as there is no decision by the council, he reiterated that Umno’s stance is not to cooperate with any PH component parties.
“We are clear; we have decided in the Umno General Assembly and also in Supreme Council meetings that we will not cooperate with PKR, DAP or PH,” he told a press conference at the Sg Besi military camp here today.
He added that, should there be any changes, the matter would be raised to the Supreme Council.
“To date, there hasn’t been any Supreme Council meetings to say that we are keen to cooperate with PKR and other parties in PH.
“As long as there is no decision made, we stick to the decision that we will not cooperate with those parties,” he said.
Previously, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had not dismissed the possibility of working with former rivals.
Anwar had said PKR is open to working with those it considered enemies in the past.
“Other than allies in PH, PKR must be open-minded in accepting cooperation with opposition parties.
“However, we will not agree if they try to seize power or continue with cronyism practices.
“We are open to work with those we consider as enemies in the past, and we have worked with those enemies before this,” he said in a special address on the party’s Facebook page on Sunday.
Yesterday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had invited all political party leaders to discuss the end of the emergency and reopening of Parliament in August.
It is understood that the Agong is seeking counsel from his fellow rulers on whether he should meet all MPs to ascertain if the present leadership and Perikatan Nasional government still hold parliamentary majority.
It is also believed that the Conference of Rulers is of the opinion that, with the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and fatalities, and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, it is evident that the emergency declared on January 12 is ineffective.
The ongoing state of emergency is due to expire on August 1. – The Vibes, June 8, 2021
