Maybe Takiyuddin ‘missed the memo’ on PN being opposition, says Wan Saiful

 

Wan Saiful Wan Jan (left) says Takiyuddin Hassan was not present at a briefing for Perikatan Nasional MPs last night.

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan said PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan may have “missed the memo” on Perikatan Nasional’s decision not to join Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

The Tasek Gelugor MP told FMT that last night, all PN MPs attended a briefing with coalition chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Gerakan president Dominic Lau over the decision to remain as opposition.

Wan Saiful said, however, he did not see Takiyuddin at the briefing.

“Perhaps he missed the memo. We were briefed about the need for check and balance in Parliament and the government, so we are very clear about our position,” he said.

Earlier, Takiyuddin thanked Anwar for inviting PN to join his unity government, saying the matter would be discussed among the coalition’s component parties.

The Kota Bharu MP added that the views of voters on the matter will also be considered as they showed strong support for the Islamic party and PN in the general election (GE15).

Subsequently, Muhyiddin announced that PN will not be joining the unity government led by Pakatan Harapan (PH), adding that the bloc will provide check and balance to Anwar’s administration.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Faiz Na’aman said he respected Takiyuddin’s statement, but emphasised that the direction of the coalition’s top leadership must be respected.

Another top Bersatu leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it is still possible for PN to join the unity government if DAP played a less prominent role in the administration.

“PN is only allergic to DAP, not PH as a whole. So if Anwar can reduce DAP’s role in the government to having very little influence, PN may join his unity government.

“Then Anwar can have two-thirds majority in Parliament,” said the leader.

Yesterday, Anwar confirmed that his unity government comprised PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), with support from MPs from Muda, Warisan and Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

He did not rule out the possibility that other parties may also join his government, saying he welcomed Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PN to be a part of it.

Today, Anwar announced that GRS has agreed to join his government, thus giving him the two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat. - FMT