PBM open to talks with BN to resolve membership application

 

PBM secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad says the party appreciates BN’s decision to discuss its membership application more thoroughly.

PETALING JAYA: Parti Bangsa Malaysia’s (PBM) Supreme Council is ready to hold talks with Barisan Nasional (BN) if there are any issues that need to be clarified regarding its application to join the coalition.

PBM secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad said the party respects the BN Supreme Council’s decision last night to postpone a decision on the party’s application to join the coalition.

He also acknowledged that as the oldest coalition of parties in Malaysia, it was only natural that BN had to give “due consideration to various issues” before reaching a consensus to accept a new entry.

“PBM appreciates BN’s decision to discuss this matter more thoroughly before an official decision is made,” said Nor Hizwan in a statement.

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“PBM’s Supreme Council is also ready to negotiate with the BN Supreme Council if there are any issues or matters that need to be clarified.”

The BN Supreme Council had been expected to make a decision on PBM’s application at its meeting last night.

However, after the meeting, BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir said the application, and that of six other parties, was “currently being refined by BN’s secretariat”.

PBM is led by Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, who said on Tuesday her party would accept whatever decision BN made about its application, submitted in July.

Some BN figures such as Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil have cautioned the coalition against accepting PBM, a party he described as comprising “liars and traitors”. - FMT