Youth chief scoffs at claim of Bersatu yearning for PH pact

 The wing’s chief, Hilman Idham, says Bersatu forged an electoral pact with Pahang BN even before talks with Selangor PH were initiated.

Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham rejected a claim by suspended Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee on the move for a pact with Pakatan Harapan.

PETALING JAYA:

Bersatu Youth has scoffed at claims that the party yearned to join forces with Pakatan Harapan following reports that its assemblymen in Selangor were looking to sign a confidence and supply agreement with Selangor PH.

Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham said Bersatu forged an electoral pact with Pahang Barisan Nasional even before talks with Selangor PH were initiated. “The issue, therefore, does not arise,” Hilman told FMT.

Bersatu assemblymen in Pahang recently pledged support for menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail’s government until the end of its term.

Hilman, who is Gombak Setia assemblyman, was responding to comments by suspended Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee earlier today who said the current Bersatu leadership has long sought an association with PH.

Kiandee said the move to negotiate a pact in Selangor has only made their intentions clearer.

However, Hilman said Bersatu would be open to talks with PH or BN if the coalitions agreed not to accept Wawasan, which is led by former Bersatu leaders.

“But we will only initiate negotiations if they agree to reject Wawasan,” he said.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Dr Afif Bahardin said Kiandee had previously attempted to forge a pact between Perikatan Nasional and Umno. “And because of his actions, Bersatu is being alienated by PN,” Afif said.

On Thursday, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said Bersatu assemblymen would be signing a pact with the state government before the state budget is tabled, with terms currently being finalised.

The announcement came amid heightening tensions between PH and Barisan Nasional, a key partner in both the federal and Selangor governments. - FMT