PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan has called for calm and for all parties to discuss the coalition's future after MCA and MIC decided to explore a new alliance.
Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said Barisan would not ignore the notion put forward by MCA and MIC, adding that it would be wise for the coalition to unite and search for a favourable solution.
"I cannot just sweep aside their dissatisfaction but let's be clear on a few things.
"Firstly, our relationship and collaboration within Barisan did not just happen in a day or two. We have faced many challenges together even before Merdeka (Independence).
"We have also achieved a lot from being respectful and understanding towards each other that I believe all members and leaders know each other inside and out," he said in a statement on Monday (March 4).
Mohamad also called on all parties to not be hasty in their judgments especially when it concerns the coalition's future.
"We cannot just simply take the views of a couple of leaders that do not reflect Barisan's stand as a whole.
"The long-time relationship and camaraderie between the parties go beyond such talks and statements and it would be a shame to let a small weakness get in the way of a bigger advantage which we have developed throughout the years," he said.
Mohamad said Barisan is committed to respecting the roles and struggles of all component parties and wants to strengthen those under its banner.
"It is not fair to say that their position in Barisan is not crucial," he said.
Mohamad said Barisan will hold a supreme council meeting soon to discuss the matter.
Earlier, MCA and MIC decided to move on from Barisan and explore a new alliance to reflect the true intentions of unity in diversity.
The parties - led by Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Tan Sri S.A Vigneswaran - said they did not recognise the appointment of Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz as Barisan secretary-general and deemed it illegal.
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