KUALA LUMPUR – Barisan Nasional (BN) will only enter into a power-sharing agreement with any political parties after the general election, said chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said this is to ensure that the coalition will not be betrayed, crippling its ability to effectively form a government.
“We have to think that politics is dynamic and such dynamics must be based on needs. I have stated that such needs are with any party that agrees with BN’s policies and direction.
“That being said, any movement or steps (on power-sharing) will be done post-electoral or only be taken after the general election is called. This is to prevent any adverse consequences or any untoward incident from happening,” he said during a press conference after the BN Convention, here at the World Trade Centre.
When asked whether fledgling Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) has engaged with BN to become a component party, Zahid said no such initiative has taken place.
In January, PBM president Larry Sng had said the party was interested in joining the coalition.
Earlier in his speech, Zahid had said that as part of BN’s strategy to embark on a paradigm shift and undergo rebranding, the coalition must be more inclusive, willing to form cooperation with other parties and open to accepting anyone into its fold.
This is as long as the other parties accept the principles championed by BN, which are based on moderation, sincerity and loyalty, he said.
His latest remark appears to contradict his previous stand of facing the coming general election alone, a position similarly shared by several other top party leaders.
Zahid said other measures to ensure a paradigm shift within BN is for the coalition to move beyond the current framework of seat distribution, hinting at the possibility of candidates from different parties taking on seats traditionally contested by certain political outfits.
“While we continue to ensure the representatives of component parties form the government, the formula that I introduced in the last two state elections (Melaka and Johor) has proven to attract the confidence of the rakyat.”
He said this formula of placing “winnable, acceptable and likeable” candidates will be used, taking into account demographics and the current political situation.
He also vowed more new faces in the general election, similar to the coalition’s strategy in Melaka and Johor, which saw 87% and 79% fresh faces, respectively. – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
Additional reporting by Amar Shah Mohsen
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