Harapan-PN cooperation, Faizal says 'old friend' Idris can find better ways

 

Bersatu deputy president Faizal Azumu today countered former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron's proposal for Harapan to join forces with PN against BN, suggesting instead that his "old friend" could find better ways to spend his free time.

Idris, a former Umno leader who is now with PKR, said in an interview with Malaysiakini that Harapan needed a "wow factor" - including possible cooperation with PN - to score big in the 15th general election.

Asked for comments, Faizal (above) during a press conference at his office in Kuala Lumpur, said, "I would also like to suggest to Datuk Seri Idris Haron, maybe as an old friend, that after I left the Perak menteri besar's office I had an eight-month holiday, so I was learning the Al-Quran."

"I was learning to improve my prayers and other things, so maybe Idris, with a lot of free time now, he can do the same," said Faizal, alluding to his time after the downfall of the Perak Harapan government in December last year and before being appointed as a minister under the current PN federal government.

Faizal also hinted that it would be unreasonable to expect any successful outcome from PN-Harapan cooperation, like trying "to rear fish while mixing seawater with fresh water."

'PN is the more attractive option'

Similarly, Faizal also downplayed Warisan's national expansion officially launched earlier today, describing PN as the more "attractive option".

"Parties with an established combination, like PN with experienced leaders, is more attractive than a party that is just taking up a role in a democracy without serious commitment to successfully form a government," he said.

Faizal also announced that Bersatu's annual general meeting this weekend would see 1,600 central delegates from 197 divisions gathering at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur, with party president Muhyiddin Yassin scheduled to deliver his policy speech on Sunday.

Bersatu supreme council member Zuraida Kamaruddin

He said this year would be the first official participation of Bersatu's associate members wing, comprising its non-bumiputera members, as well as debate on a motion to form a new Srikandi Muda wing to represent its growing number of younger women members.

At the same time, Faizal also dismissed rumours of unhappy Bersatu members, said to be behind alleged departure plans by party supreme council member Zuraida Kamaruddin.

"There are also rumours that said I have taken a second wife. A rumour is not always true.

"Secondly, there are times I was not very happy with my wife, but not necessarily I want to take on a second wife," he said.

"As a big party, definitely there will be unhappy members, but not to the point of breaking up the party," Faizal added.

Zuraida, who is also the plantation industries and commodities minister, last week said she was prepared to consider joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), which was set up by former Sarawak PKR chief Larry Sng, who is also the Julau MP. - Mkini