KUALA LUMPUR – All Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties must respect any decisions made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the coalition prepares for the general election that is due next year.
MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran said this is key to ensuring Ismail Sabri continues to command public respect.
While he did not elaborate, his statement comes amid pressure from some Umno leaders who have been pushing for early elections, although the prime minister has indicated that snap polls are unlikely amid the current economic situation, with increasing inflation and rising living costs.
“When we have decided on the captain of our ship, which is our prime minister, undivided support must be given to him so whatever we aspire can be achieved.
“He should be given as much space as he needs, and his decisions must be respected, to ensure his credibility as the prime minister is protected, and he continues to be respected by the rakyat.
“However, if the opposite happens, this is not something the rakyat wants to see,” he said during his speech at the BN convention here today.
Regardless, Vigneswaran expressed confidence that the BN supreme council and coalition chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are capable of advising the prime minister on the direction to take.
He added that, aside from having an experienced captain to steer BN forward, the contributions of other “crew members” are also required for the ship to reach its destination.
Later in his speech, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said his party welcomes and fully supports Umno’s decision to name Ismail Sabri as the coalition’s choice as the prime minister candidate heading into the next election.
He said the Keluarga Malaysia concept championed by Ismail Sabri should be regarded as a positive in a country of diverse communities.
“This spirit of togetherness is what has strengthened us and ensured stability...This is the element currently missing from the opposition parties.”
Wee said the results of the recent Melaka and Johor elections showed that Chinese supporters are beginning to return to BN’s fold.
He also took an opportunity to take a swipe at DAP, alluding that MCA “will not become an extreme party just to garner votes”.
“Such dirty politics do not bring benefits to the people, instead it strains race relations.” – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
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