KUALA LUMPUR — Umno’s top leaders should not dismissed any chance at political cooperation if it can unite their race, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s open call for all Malay parties to join Bersatu.
The former Umno vice-president urged his party colleagues to give serious consideration for their community’s benefit instead of letting pride get in the way.
“We must not be proud and arrogant because the people are watching us. Not only in Umno and PAS, but also those who had offered us cooperation.
“The invitation was made to the party so the party must make a stance… I was informed that Pakatan Harapan will be meeting later today, therefore I will wait and see what are the stance of PKR and DAP,” the Sembrong MP told reporters at the Parliament lobby here.
The ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition — consisting of Bersatu, PKR, DAP and Amanah — is scheduled to meet at 4pm today.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir invited all Malay-based parties to join Bersatu, saying it would unite the Malays — the country’s largest racial demographic at nearly 70 per cent.
The Bersatu chairman said that he found more and more Malay parties were being formed, which reduces the chance for any one party to win by a significant margin in elections.
Hishammuddin told political leaders that any move to reduce “politicking” should be welcomed.
“But if it will make matters worse, then who will look after the economy and the welfare of the people?
“At the end of the day, it’s the interest of the public and the country at stake. So any effort to unite and move forward must take that into account. Enough of politicking,” he added.
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — whose party is currently the largest in Parliament — declined comment when asked to respond to Dr Mahathir’s invitation.
“I think we should give him the avenue, the opportunity to explain to the PH leadership council,” the Port Dickson MP said.
“We haven’t even heard from him I’m just saying in the spirit of the coalition of PH, I think he probably would inform us accordingly,” he added. – MALAY MAIL
‘Happy to be where I am’ – KJ on invitation to join Bersatu
Umno’s Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin is fine staying put for the time being, following an invitation by a Pakatan Harapan minister to join Bersatu.
“I am quite happy where I am, thank you,” was all the former Umno Youth chief was willing to say when reporters met with him at Parliament today.
Asked if this meant he was rejecting the offer, Khairy only repeated his answer.
Syed Saddiq, who is Bersatu Youth chief and who succeeded Khairy as youth and sports minister, had issued the invitation to the latter via Twitter, saying this would better position Bersatu as a centrist party for the Malay community.
This was after Khairy seemingly came to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s defence for urging all Malay parties, including Umno and PAS, to join Bersatu. Mahathir is also Bersatu chairperson.
Khairy had said the prime minister had valid reasons for issuing the call and it would be “arrogant” to dismiss Mahathir’s suggestion as the latter was correct to state the Malay community was fractured today.
Among the reasons cited by Mahathir was that there was a need to unite the Malay votes which were being splintered due to the presence of too many Malay parties. This, he said, could cost the community in coming elections.
The call came as a surprise to leaders of other Harapan component parties.
Mahathir is expected to explain his invitation to Harapan leaders in today’s presidential council meeting of the ruling coalition. – MKINI
PAS thanks Bersatu for invite, but says it will stick with Umno
PAS says it will choose to remain with Umno despite being invited to join Bersatu by its chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
According to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, his party will stick to its stand of cooperating with Umno.
“We are in cooperation (with Umno) and we welcome the cooperation of all political parties.
“However, we are consistent in that we are with Umno,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby today.
Last Friday, Mahathir extended an invitation to all Malay parties – including Umno – to join Bersatu for the sake of Malay unity.
However, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi turned down the invitation.
Commenting on the ‘Malay unity’ touched on by Mahathir, Tuan Ibrahim said this can be achieved with PAS and Umno sticking together.
“To us, the real unity is still with Umno,” he said. – MKINI
MALAY MAIL / MKINI
One of the reason why PAS want to stick with umno. Bila bercerai umno senang di kafir kan.
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