No new govt past 2pm as BN opts to stay opposition for now

KUALA LUMPUR – Barisan Nasional (BN) has opted to remain an opposition coalition and will not form a government with either Perikatan Nasional (PN) or Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri tweeted at 2pm that BN is not supporting either PH or PN to form a government, and will remain an opposition party for now.

Alhamdulillah, Dewan Tertinggi Barisan Nasional (BN) telah membuat keputusan untuk tidak menyokong mana-mana gabungan untuk membentuk kerajaan.

BN tidak menyokong Pakatan Harapan (PH) mahupun Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Setakat ini BN bersetuju kekal sebagai pembangkang.

— Ismail Sabri (@IsmailSabri60) November 22, 2022

However, neither BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi nor the coalition secretariat have made an official statement on the matter.

This comes after hours of deliberation by the BN leadership in the last two days, after political coalitions were given an initial deadline of 2pm yesterday to present to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong their numbers and their prime minister candidate to form a new government.

That deadline was extended to 2pm today

Uncertainty now continues following BN’s decision, with PH reportedly retreating to PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's office at Bukit Gasing, while a handful of PAS and Bersatu leaders remain holed up at PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s residence.

Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had also told the press waiting at the Umno headquarters at WTC KL for the outcome of the BN meeting, that all 30 MPs from the coalition have decided to remain neutral and not support any side.

“We are ready to be in the opposition,” he told reporters.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon had also told reporters at WTC KL that BN did not name any prime minister candidate.

MIC president S.A. Vigneswaran also confirmed that BN agreed it would remain as the opposition, but added that it is “only for the time being”.

In the last two days of talks to form a new government, various voices from Umno and BN have pressured the coalition to either join forces with PN, or remain an opposition given its worst-ever performance in GE15.

Some are also of the view that PH and PN should be left to negotiate on forming a new government together, as they have the first and second-largest number of seats won in the election.

BN only won 30 seats, while PH won 82 and PN 73. – The Vibes, November 22, 2022