Ahmad Maslan to Hadi: 'Real PN' only has 25 seats in govt, not 70

 

BN secretary-general Ahmad Maslan has taken a swipe at PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang over the latter’s statement that the current federal administration is "dominated by 70 Perikatan Nasional" seats.

Taking to Twitter, Ahmad said the actual figure should only be 25 PN seats, excluding "frogs" that jumped to Bersatu from Umno and PKR.

"...dominated by 70 PN seats and its components. Is that true?

"Count this: Bersatu 31, PAS 18 and Star one, that's only 50 seats. The 31 Bersatu seats include 15 (former) Umno/BN and 10 former PKR.

"The real PN is only six from Bersatu who did not jump, PAS 18 and Star one, so that's only 25 and not 70, right?" Ahmad said.

MOU extension and Parliament dissolution

He was responding to Hadi's reported statement that PAS will hold internal discussions on whether to extend the memorandum of understanding signed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's government and Pakatan Harapan beyond its July 31 deadline.

Berita Harian quoted Hadi as saying that while Ismail Sabri has accepted Umno's Supreme Council’s decision to not extend the MOU, PAS will still discuss the matter as the government is "dominated by PN parties".

According to Clause 2.1 of the MOU, the deal was to last until the dissolution of Parliament. Clause 3.1 of the MOU states that Ismail Sabri will not dissolve Parliament before July 31.

Meanwhile, the online portal Free Malaysia Today quoted Umno Supreme Council member Bung Moktar Radin as saying that the party wants the general election to be called this year after the MOU has expired.

“Umno is of the opinion that the general election must be held sometime after the MOU ends. I’m not sure when but definitely this year," said the Sabah deputy chief minister after a breaking fast event in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

"This is not solely for Umno to form the government, but we see it as a way to improve the country’s economy," he added.

Several opposition leaders, including Amanah communications director Khalid Samad and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, previously said that Harapan is not bound by any decisions made by Umno's Supreme Council, although preparations have been made to face a general election from as early as August this year. - Mkini