Azalina: To gain two-thirds, BN must be ready to reform and cut deals

Umno supreme council member Azalina Othman Said believed that BN must present a reform agenda and be ready to build new alliances to form a new government with a two-thirds majority.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the BN convention in Kuala Lumpur today, Azalina said the coalition must present a plan that was feasible, unlike Pakatan Harapan during the 2018 election.

"We need to keep an open mind about either a pre-election or post-election coalition agreement, regardless of (if we are dealing) with 'enemies' or 'unfriendly' parties if we want (to have) 148 seats.

"We have to be ready to negotiate with those with whom we can find common ground. If we are offering change, we need to identify the policies we intend to implement or laws we want to change," she said.

Azalina explained that the next election will be different from previous ones wherein the composition of the BN coalition had changed.

She predicted that without new alliances, BN will win 100 seats at most - 50 short of two-thirds.

"We can't be (like Harapan). Twenty-two months they gave us 'telur ayam' (nothing). Twenty-two months (to implement) their manifesto. Tipu (lies). Our manifesto has to walk the talk.

"If we are going into this election thinking about BN only and that we are not flexible, then we will not be able to govern like before," she added.

BN had 14 component parties at its peak. After the 2018 general elections, it was down to four.

Although BN won handsomely during the Malacca and Johor state elections in 2021 and in March this year respectively, the coalition is still unrepresented in Sarawak and it is no longer the strongest party in Sabah.

Sarawak and Sabah account for 58 seats in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat. - Mkini