Zahid Hamidi says BN will leave the Unity Government when Parliament is dissolved, while maintaining its political identity and preparing for state elections
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) will no longer be part of the Unity Government once Parliament is dissolved, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, reiterating the coalition’s commitment to remain in the administration only until the end of the 15th Parliament.
He said the arrangement was part of BN’s commitment made after the 15th general election and did not prevent the coalition from maintaining its own political identity and positions.
“The moment the current government, Parliament is dissolved, we are no longer with them,” he said at the 18th Annual General Assembly of Makkal Sakti Malaysia at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today.
Zahid said the commitment was made to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and through the agreement underpinning the formation of the Unity Government.
“However, cooperation in the government does not mean BN has surrendered its identity or stopped having its own position,” he said.
He said political considerations at the state and federal levels could differ, describing this as “two-level politics”, where BN had responsibilities at the federal level while facing different political realities in individual states.
Zahid cited Johor as an example, saying BN contested all 56 state seats on its own despite being part of the federal government.
BN won 40 of the 56 seats in the Johor state election.
He said Negeri Sembilan presented a different example, with BN winning 18 seats while seven seats were won by Perikatan Nasional representatives who are currently suspended.
Zahid said the mandate given to BN by voters in Negeri Sembilan should be respected, adding that the state administration should be allowed to proceed without interference from any party in the interests of its people.
He said developments in Negeri Sembilan would not affect BN’s commitment to the Unity Government at the federal level.
On Melaka, Zahid said the state election would be approached through the party and coalition decision-making process, including discussions over candidates and electoral strategy.
He said he would not use his authority as BN chairman to unilaterally decide which parties or coalitions BN should work with.
“I will bring these matters to the BN Supreme Council for us to discuss and make a decision,” he said.
Zahid said whatever decision was reached for Melaka, BN would continue to honour its commitment at the federal level while taking into account the political circumstances at the state level.
He also urged BN component parties to avoid internal problems and work together as the coalition faced future political contests.
Zahid reminded BN leaders and members not to engage with the grassroots only during elections, saying they should regularly meet voters and address their concerns.
He said he believed voters would continue to support the leadership when their concerns were addressed.
Zahid also called for old differences among BN component parties to be put aside.
“Let us forget the past. Let us forgive what has happened, as long as it does not happen again. Let us forgive and forget so that Barisan Nasional remains united.
“Because the people strongly yearn for Barisan Nasional to return to government,” he said.
