Tok Mat calls for new ideas, not new alliances

 

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan says the people are fed up with the political bickering.

PETALING JAYA: Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has called for public attention on new policies and new ideas to help turn Malaysia into a developed nation, instead of a focus on proposals for political alliances.

Mohamad said the people had grown weary with – and were repulsed by – the numerous statements from politicians at loggerheads with each other, especially Malay ones.

Such dissension was of no benefit as it weakened the community and did not provide any direction.

“Maybe what is needed by the Malays isn’t a new political coalition, but an explanation on how they can become better and be more developed.

“Maybe what Malaysia needs is not another political alliance for the sake of it, but new policies and ideas to make Malaysia successful,” he said in a Facebook posting that comes in the wake of a proposal for a grand coalition to unite Perikatan National, Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

The proposal was floated by PPBM secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, who said a new coalition could ensure the continuity of the informal consensus reached by Perikatan Nasional and allies when they took power in Putrajaya after the collapse of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s government in February.

Mohamad said that it was time to open a new chapter. “There’s no point in reminiscing about the past.”

Last month, BN secretary-general Annuar Musa had also mooted a “grand coalition” to unite the ummah (the Islamic community), with other parties including multiracial ones, free to join in.

In addition to parties such as Warisan, Pejuang and Muda, others such as Berjasa, Indian Progressive Front, Makkal Sakti, and Parti Cinta Malaysia could also be included. - FMT