Alternatives ‘not credible’, so ‘come home’ to BN, Zaid tells Malaysians

 

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim says a strong mandate for Barisan Nasional will allow the government to do more for poorer Malaysians.

PETALING JAYA: Zaid Ibrahim is calling on Malaysians of all races to cast their votes in favour of Barisan Nasional (BN) in the general election.

“The Malays have largely been won over. It is time for the Chinese and Indian voters to also come home.

“We have worked successfully together since independence. It is time to repeat that formula,” the former law minister said.

Zaid said BN recognised that a lot needs to be done for the Chinese and Indian communities.

-ADVERTISEMENT-

Ads by 

As an example, he said, BN’s manifesto contains pledges which will help Indians in the lower income group.

“Those who drop out of school will be given places in technical and vocational programmes which are tailored to help them find skilled employment. In addition, support for vernacular schools will be extended.

“A strong mandate for BN will allow the government to do more for poorer Malaysians,” he said.

Speaking to FMT, Zaid said the alternative governments proposed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) were “not credible” and “bound to fail”.

“The PH government, which was formed in 2018, was imbalanced and, as a result, was from the very beginning unstable. It collapsed due to persistent internal friction.

“That friction is bound to resurface,” he said.

He said that all indications point towards DAP securing more seats than PKR in GE15. DAP is, therefore, bound to demand a strong representation in government, which will not go down well with the Malays.

“In 2018, DAP won fewer seats than PKR (42 against 47) and yet the party’s appointee, Tommy Thomas, was made the attorney-general,” he said.

DAP was also given the lead in several key ministries, including finance, transport and multimedia, which allowed it to exert substantial control over Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s PH government.

Anwar will probably have to do likewise, he said.

Zaid said PKR was also beset by a deep internal conflict between party president Anwar and his deputy, Rafizi Ramli.

“Already, those two are bickering in public about everything from the choice of candidates to the number of seats the party is expected to win.

“That bickering is bound to heighten post-GE15 and will surely escalate to coalition level when it comes to the assignment of Cabinet portfolios,” he said.

Zaid says any PH coalition government will also need to accommodate Amanah.

“Can anyone in Amanah offer anything?” he asked.

He said a vote for PH will likely be “wasted” as the coalition is not expected to be able to form a majority on the floor of the Dewan Rakyat, having been shunned by the East Malaysian coalitions of GPS and GRS, as well as by Warisan, which have already pledged their loyalties to BN.

Likewise, he said, PN cannot offer a credible model of government acceptable to all Malaysians.

He said former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin had contributed nothing tangible to the economy either as the prime minister or chairman of the National Recovery Council.

“A PN government will also be detrimental to democracy, as proven by Muhyiddin securing a suspension of Parliament under false pretences.

“A PN government will also energise the beast called PAS, whose policies have brought no development to Kelantan for decades, and who discriminate against non-Muslims and women, and show a lack of care for the environment, as proved by wanton deforestation and logging carried out under its watch,” he said. - FMT