KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has defended himself against accusations that he is a traitor.

The Perak mentri besar has also dismissed allegations of him colluding with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to retain the position of mentri besar and agreeing to form a political alignment between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Perak.

Saarani, who is the state BN chairman, said that the decision was made to ensure that the Perak state government remained stable and well-governed immediately after the 15th general election (GE15).

“Actually, what is most important for me is to be able to make the right and correct decision. That’s what I believe in. So you want to say I’m a traitor? It’s not like I joined DAP, PH, PKR.

“I was invited to form the Perak state government even though I was preparing to be in the Opposition. But because PH has 24 seats and PN has 26 (seats) for a total of 50.

“With 50 seats, they should be able to become a strong government because they got more than two-thirds and left me to be the Opposition,” he told Mingguan Malaysia.

Last Monday, Saarani was sworn in as Perak mentri besar after PH agreed to accept BN as a coalition partner to form the state government.

The combination of 24 state assembly seats from PH and another nine seats from BN enabled the Perak state government to be formed.

Saarani added that the new political alignment between BN and PH will achieve compromises and find common ground to develop the Perak state government.

So far, he said several agreements have been reached among the state executive council (exco) members, one of it being the name of the state government.

“Even though we differ in terms of party and ideologies, it doesn’t mean that we can’t come to a mutual agreement. Most importantly, it is to reduce differences and find common ground.

“So far, the exco has agreed to use the words ‘Perak State Government’ instead of the term PH plus BN government or vice versa. I’m sure we can have different opinions. However, attention should be paid to matters involving the development of the state for the well-being of the people,” he said.

Saarani said the party also rejected any concerns that arose from the cooperation of the two coalitions.

“If we start looking for differences and mistakes, then the desire to develop the state will not be achieved.

“So I don’t see it as something worrying, even though there is a history with DAP in various parties.

“I believe the same basis and principles can be applied to Perak,” he said. - malaymail