‘Only one PN candidate for each seat’

 

Leading the team: Muhyiddin gesturing while speaking at the at Besatu AGM in Kuala Lumpur.

PETALING JAYA: The next general election will see only one Perikatan Nasional candidate in each contested seat, says the coalition chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the logo of Perikatan, having triumphed in the Sabah election in September, would unite all parties in the next polls.

Muhyiddin, however, said the general election should only take place when the Covid-19 pandemic is over.

Addressing the third Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia annual general meeting (AGM), but the first one held since forming Perikatan, Muhyiddin who is the party president said that he appreciated Sabah STAR and SAPP for joining Perikatan and hoped more parties would be a part of the coalition so that it could represent all communities.

“We cannot remain alone. We need other parties to face the election and form a government.

“On its own, Bersatu may win seats but it will not be enough to form a government, ” said Muhyiddin.

Bersatu, he said, must survive politically by ensuring that it works together with Umno and PAS in Perikatan so that there is a stable government.

As much as he would like to stay away from talking politics, he said he had to address the issue of the perceived “cold relationship” between Bersatu and Umno.

“I usually keep away from talking politics but the Bersatu AGM is a political stage.

“Some say Bersatu and Umno have no chemistry. After all, some of us like myself were from Umno but that is all in the past.

“Fate, however, has brought us rivals together now to be allies in Perikatan government and this is divine intervention, ” he said.

“This is a test from God, which is bitter, but this is our opportunity as Malays and Muslims to unite after having been so divided.

“Malay unity will remain an elusive dream and it will never materialise in our lifetime – but why do we (Bersatu, Umno and PAS) not take this divine opportunity to put aside politics and be united?

“It may be a winding path filled with thorns but amid such difficulties, I believe there will be relief, ” said Muhyiddin.

He implored his party members to rise to the occasion by serving the people and to work together with Umno and PAS to ensure a stable government.

“Politics is about helping the people impacted by the economy amid the pandemic and ‘not about wrestling for power’, ” he said.

Malaysians, said Muhyiddin, want a functioning government.

“I know the people are nauseated with the endless politicking.

“This is the time for Bersatu to rise to the occasion.

“This is the time to serve the people, ” he stressed.

As for Perikatan, he said it was “an important milestone, an important legacy and decision”.

“Leaving Pakatan Harapan early this year and forming Perikatan was a difficult decision. It combines PAS and Bersatu and will be a source of strength for the Malays and the Muslims, ” he said.

As for Perikatan’s victory in Sabah in September, he said: “We were accepted by the Sabahans because Perikatan was seen as a functioning government. I believe in the next general election, Perikatan will be accepted by the whole country.”

The AGM was held virtually yesterday and shown via Facebook, with the supreme council gathered in Kuala Lumpur. - Star