BN, PAS call for dissolution of Parliament, want fresh elections

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional and PAS are calling for Parliament to be dissolved to give way to an election due to the current political uncertainty in the country.

In a special press conference on Tuesday (Feb 25), Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the power to decide should be returned to the people.

“The people’s mandate should not be neglected. We ask that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to allow for Parliament to be dissolved,” he said.

He added that in an audience with the King, Barisan Nasional, PAS and PBRS MPs unanimously stated that they want a dissolution of Parliament.

Annuar said a new mandate from the people is necessary to decide the country’s future.

“New ideas (in forming a new government) is gambling the people’s future away.

“We will pay a heavy price if there’s any delay in stabilising the nation, ” he said, adding that the people’s interest must be prioritised.

He also said that they reject Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposal for a unity government. He said that any proposal for a new coalition must exclude DAP.

He added that they had retracted their statutory declaration in support for Dr Mahathir because it is only for a new government without DAP.

Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that the party presidential council, had in a meeting earlier, unanimously decided that the power to decide should be returned to the people.

"The MCA presidential council had a meeting this (Tuesday) morning, and we came to the conclusion that power must be returned to the people.

“As such, we see that the best way forward is for Parliament to be dissolved, and fresh elections are called, ” he said at the special press conference.

He also said the political crisis was "self-inflicted" by Pakatan Harapan, which saw its collapse.

“We will face the people and let them judge our performance, ” he said, adding that the party’s priority is for a strong coalition to help the country enjoy stability.