Pressure on BN to end PM impasse

 

PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim and his PN counterpart Muhyiddin Yassin failed to come to an agreement on cooperating to form the next government.

PETALING JAYA: Pressure is mounting on Barisan Nasional to break the deadlock between Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, says a source in the know.

Istana Negara has said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will grant an audience to all 30 BN MPs today.

This came after PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim and his PN counterpart Muhyiddin Yassin failed to come to an agreement on cooperating to form the next government.

Yesterday, the King asked PN and PH to work together in forming the government, but PN turned this down.

Neither PH nor PN has enough support to form the government.

“This is why BN MPs have been summoned for an audience with the King tomorrow,” said the source who declined to be named.

“So now the pressure is on BN. Yesterday it decided it would remain in the opposition, but if they do not break the deadlock and a government can’t be formed, the people will blame them.”

The source said the people and markets were anxious over the failure of political parties to come together and form a government.

“BN MPs will now have to go back to the drawing board and discuss their options. But there are serious concerns about the consequences of working with PN.”

The source said PN was not as multiracial as PH and that working with PAS would affect BN’s image and credibility as a multiracial, centrist coalition.

Investors, the source added, would be more comfortable with a moderate coalition government.

“There is also the concern that Umno would be swallowed up by Bersatu and PAS if it helps PN form the government.

“Many people forget that Bersatu was set up to destroy Umno. So if Umno helps Bersatu form the government, it will only be a matter of time before Umno is destroyed.”

BN MPs are scheduled to meet the King at 10.30am. - FMT