KUALA LUMPUR – Newly appointed Umno information chief Isham Jalil said Barisan Nasional (BN) should not be a part of any coalition government as a sign of respect for the people’s decision in the recently concluded general election.
In a statement, the Umno Supreme Council member said BN should instead serve as the opposition and act to check and balance the government.
“We shouldn’t join any coalition government. The rakyat has chosen us to be the opposition, and we should respect their wishes,” he said today.
According to the Election Commission, BN only won 30 seats in Parliament – the coalition’s worst performance in a general election.
Isham said following the 2018 general election, when BN lost federal power for the first time, the coalition had for 22 months managed to win back the trust and support of the rakyat.
However, he said this went down the drain after BN decided to form a coalition government with certain other parties following the Sheraton Move in February 2020.
“Now, as an opposition, we in Umno and BN can rebuild our credibility and the rakyat’s confidence in us, compared to if we become part of the government.
“We should be courageous enough to be a strong opposition.”
In a separate statement later, Isham, who lost in his bid to capture the Shah Alam parliamentary seat in GE15, said he has been appointed Umno’s information chief, effective today.
This follows Shahril Sufian Hamdan’s decision to resign from the post this morning.
Isham said his appointment was confirmed to him by party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
“An official letter has also been signed by the party’s leadership. I express my thanks for this appointment and trust the party has placed in me.” – The Vibes, November 20, 2022
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