New coalition needed to beat BN, says Bersatu man

 

Bersatu Supreme Council member Faiz Na’aman said PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin was not to blame for the coalition’s poor showing at the Johor elections.

PETALING JAYA: Opposition parties should unite and form a new coalition if they hoped to defeat Barisan Nasional at the next general election, a member of Bersatu’s leadership said today.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Faiz Na’aman told FMT that he would support any proposal for Perikatan Nasional to form such a coalition.

“There is still a chance (to form a coalition) if we are (being) reflective, and able to think outside the box. But, we need to fix the objectives (first) and let the right people lead it,” he said.

Faiz rejected PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s declared willingness to resign from the post. He said Muhyiddin’s “aura and leadership” was still needed by PN’s coalition partners.

Faiz Na’aman.

Muhyiddin had said last night that he accepted responsibility for PN’s dismal performance at the Johor elections. The coalition won only three seats – two by Bersatu candidates and one by a PAS candidate. Previously, the coalition had held 12 seats.

Faiz said PN’s performance was not due to any shortcomings of certain individuals. “What happened in Johor was due to other factors such as low voter turnout and the split in the anti-Barisan Nasional blocs due to lack of agreement,” he said.

At the Johor elections yesterday, Barisan Nasional won 40 out of 56 seats in the state assembly. PN won in Maharani (PAS), and Endau and Bukit Kepong (Bersatu). Pakatan Harapan, comprising DAP, Amanah and PKR, won 12, and Muda won one seat in its electoral debut.

PAS to stick with PN alliance

PAS would continue with its alliance with Perikatan Nasional to serve the people and will also keep an open mind about the Johor election results yesterday, said its vice-president Idris Ahmad.

Although PN only won three seats, the coalition would continue to work together to nurture the concept of unity ahead of the 15th general election.

“Do not measure results based on the Melaka and Johor state elections. We accept defeat and will prepare a plan to move ahead to face GE15. What is important is unity,” he said after a constituency event in Bukit Gantang. - FMT