Umno VP: Political rewards with GLC posts not the way forward

Using political rewards in the form of GLC posts and other political appointments with the objective of strengthening Perikatan Nasional is "not the way forward", said Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

This was Khaled's response to Johor Bersatu secretary Mohd Solihan Badri who, in an open letter, wrote, among other matters, that political appointments were necessary to shore up support for PN and unite coalition members in Johor.

Khaled said he has read Solihan's writings but disagreed with how political appointments were used.

"PN was not established through the people's mandate. It must put aside all interests except public interest.

"Positions, titles and inducements were not the reason why PN was established. (The coalition's) goal is to save the country," he said.

Khaled said Solihan's piece was meant to remind PN of the fragility of the coalition in Johor. Khaled said he agreed with this assessment.

Solihan had stated that Bersatu only had 11 seats in the 56-seat state assembly and speculated that the seven opposition constituencies which the party had to oversee now could be allocated to them during the next election.

Khaled said that playing the numbers game now would allow anyone to win.

"Bersatu, which has 11 seats, and Umno, which has 16 seats, will not go anywhere without both (parties) forging an understanding for a bigger purpose and ideals.

"PN in Johor will stay as long as both parties want (the coalitioN) to remain. In politics, however, anything can happen," said Khaled.

He said the number of seats was secondary compared to the economic progress made by the state.

Khaled said PN can only become stronger and function optimally in Johor if the coalition's "grand strategy" on realising the state's true potential can be revealed.

He said if Johor is managed properly, coupled with renewal and rapid development, then PN will be accepted as a coalition government.

"Johor's development, with a clear vision and an administration based on values and best practices, will be the yardstick on PN's longevity. - Mkini