KUALA LUMPUR – While Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin appears open to the possibility of forming a post-election pact with other parties, he has stressed that such agreements would only take place with parties that do not go against the coalitions’ principles.
Speaking during a televised interview with Astro Awani today, Muhyiddin said that while it is too early to discuss such matters now, several considerations will have to be taken into account if no one party manages to secure a majority in the 15th general election (GE15).
“We’ll see how things go. If on November 19 (polling day) no party manages to win 112 (parliamentary) seats then (PN) will have an emergency meeting to think about our strategy,” the Bersatu president said.
If there is a need to form an alliance (with other parties) then we will take into consideration those that have a similar direction (as PN) and (do not) sacrifice PN’s principles on Islam and Malay rights.”
He added that PN’s campaign strategy for the time being, with only three days left until voting day, is to “try (its) best”, asserting that if the coalition can secure Malay votes then a victory is all but confirmed.
“There is a sense of worry and fear among voters (about what will happen) if the nation is put in the hands of (a party) who might bring about disaster or a party that is involved in misdeeds such as corruption,” he said.
Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said Barisan Nasional (BN) and PN are likely to forge an alliance and form the next government if neither is able to garner the necessary number of seats to win the national polls.
This is despite the president of BN-linchpin Umno, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, labelling the Islamist party a “parti lebai” (party of devouts) and brushing aside talk of a post-election pact.
Subsequently, Muhyiddin had tweeted that PN had never given Takiyuddin a mandate to hold talks with BN on forming a post-election government, noting that PN’s purpose for contesting GE15 is to do so without having to partner with BN or Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Muhyiddin, who is the incumbent Pagoh MP, will be seeking to defend his seat in a three-cornered fight against BN’s Datuk Seri Razali Ibrahim and PH’s Iskandar Shah Abdul Rahman.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview, PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim labelled politicians who resort to racial rhetoric in their campaigns as “desperate, lacking intelligence, and deprived of religious teachings.”
Using racial and religious matters (in their campaigns) is the last refuge of a scoundrel. (Such acts) merely give a bad image to Muslims,” he said.
The PH prime minister candidate is believed to have been referring to comments made by Sik PAS Youth chief and preacher Mohd Shahiful Mhd Nasir who said voters would “go to hell” if they vote for BN or PH in GE15.
Anwar’s number two, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, had since lodged a police report against Shahiful yesterday, highlighting that those who issue racially insensitive remarks should not be allowed to escape scot-free after issuing an apology.
Besides that, Anwar said there might be winds of change coming in PAS-stronghold Kelantan, explaining that reception for PH candidates in the state has been “positive” as voters are frustrated over how their concerns have been continuously ignored by the state government.
I can’t say for sure (that PH can secure Kelantan) but the people there are unhappy with how their issues – such as clean water supply, development, and education – have not been addressed properly.
“I don’t know about us winning (in Kelantan) but I think it is an interesting challenge,” he said.
Anwar will be taking on incumbent Tambun MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu in the Perak constituency, along with BN’s Datuk Aminuddin Md Hanafiah and Gerakan Tanah Air’s Abdul Rahim Tahir. – The Vibes, November 17, 2022
