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KUALA LUMPUR – The Unity Government National Convention, to be held for the first time tomorrow, will provide the best platform to put a stop to any attempt to threaten the nation’s political stability, thus enabling the government to focus on the people, say academics.
The convention, which is expected to bring together 10,000 delegates from the ruling coalition’s 19 parties, is taking place amid rumours of an attempt to topple the government.
A senior lecturer in political science at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jamaie Hamil, said the convention is taking place at an appropriate time to display the integrity of the unity government to observers and foreign investors.
“Through this convention, the unity government can prove that efforts to topple the government are in vain.
“Delegates need to show in the convention that those who were once political enemies are able to give their commitment to ensuring cooperation, unity, tolerance, and loyalty in the government,” he said.
The convention will start at 10am tomorrow with the Unity Government National Women Convention and the Unity Government Pemuda Puteri National Convention at Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre’s Dewan Merdeka and Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, respectively.
It will then be followed by a session dubbed “Bicara Rakyat “ which is divided into three sessions namely “Empowering the People’s Economy”, “Building the Nation,” and “MADANI Malaysia.”
According to the head of the Unity Government secretariat, Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, the session will see party leaders discussing and pledging their commitment to solving people’s problems, including economic issues, future development of a nation state, the Madani concept, and the implementation of people’s agenda.
A lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia’s school of international studies, Prof Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, said the convention provides an opportunity that should be used by the leadership to clarify government policy and eliminate any negative perceptions at all levels.
He said the formation of the unity government, following the advice of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah after last year’s general election resulted in a hung Parliament, saw many quarters, especially at the grassroots, needing time to adapt to the cooperation.
“Therefore, this convention, which will be held for the first time, brings together all the allies in the unity government, not just the leaders, and provides the best platform to explain the government’s direction,” he said.
Azizuddin said the convention held ahead of elections in six states will also allow component parties in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu to prepare their machinery, as well as streamline cooperation.
A “Unity Gang” comprising youth wings of component parties will be launched to serve as the latest platform for government parties to strengthen cooperation and organise work to face the state elections.
Themed “MADANI Mewajahi Masa Depan Malaysia,” the highlight of the convention will be a special address by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is chairman of the Unity Government secretariat, as well as the signing of a declaration by the unity government at 3.30pm.
According to Jamaie, the signing of the declaration will fulfil the people’s hope for a document or commitment from component parties in the unity government that outlines the direction of a stable and strong government until the next general election.
Prior to this, Anwar was quoted as saying that he was confident that the unity government will continue to govern the country until the next federal polls.
“Insya-Allah, we the unity government will serve a full term until the next general election. I'm very confident, or else I wouldn’t say this,” said the prime minister at the launch of the 75th-anniversary celebration of the Malaysian Red Crescent recently.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, said Umno will never tire of offering solutions to resolve the people’s problems, covering efforts to improve economic standards, eradicate hardcore poverty, and make Malaysia the most competitive and rapidly developing country.
Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was quoted as saying that the coalition will continue to strengthen the cooperation of various parties in the unity government and described the current government as the result of a very stable coalition. – Bernama, May 13, 2023