KOTA KINABALU – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party is ready to face Umno as an opponent in the coming election if Umno maintains its decision not to work with Bersatu.
The former prime minister, who is also Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) chairman, said the coalition’s component parties had decided to discuss seat allocations for the next general election without Barisan Nasional (BN).
He pointed out that their erstwhile allies have shown no indication of cooperating in the next polls.
“We are ready with our strategies and plans. If there is no way to avoid it, then we will face them (Umno). It is a political reality that we have to face; sometimes we are friends, the next we are enemies.
“Bersatu too has its own stand. If Umno does not change its decision, then we are ready,” he said at a press conference after a meeting with Sabah Bersatu leaders here today.
Muhyiddin said Umno had decided not to cooperate with Bersatu in the last Umno general assembly, ending their alliance once this current parliamentary term ends despite the fact that both are in the same administration at the moment.
However, he said political parties are not as important as the people, and it will all come down to the people’s choice.
The Pagoh MP said the public might evaluate the contributions that he had made as prime minister, including the RM530 billion stimulus package he announced.
Speaking about how his decision would affect Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in Sabah, Muhyiddin said that Sabah is different from the peninsula, so they could consider a different arrangement in seat allocations.
“I have given the mandate to (Sabah Bersatu chief) Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to allow GRS component members to discuss among themselves about seat allocations, and determine a clear stance or direction on how to face elections.
“Sabah is unique compared to the peninsula and we take this into account,” he said.
He said he was confident that GRS, which consists of PN, BN, and Parti Bersatu Sabah, will stick together for Sabah state seats as the Sabah government has proven to have a good rapport with the people with its performance.
As for parliamentary seats, Muhyiddin hoped GRS could come up with an understanding on the way forward.
“Whatever happens will depend on the negotiations (among GRS),” he said. –The Vibes, October 2, 2021
