Pakatan-Barisan cooperation set to continue post-GE16
BUTTERWORTH: Cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, including Umno, should continue for the sake of stability and the future, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said considering the fact that no political party could secure a comfortable majority to form the government, it is fair that the unity government be retained.
“We have seen the results from several recent elections; it is challenging for any party to secure a majority.
“Even if a majority is achieved, it will likely be very slim and not be enough to form a stable government,” he said at the Temu Anwar event yesterday.
The Prime Minister was responding to a question from the audience who asked whether Pakatan would continue cooperating with Barisan beyond GE16.
The unity government was formed when no single party or coalition succeeded in obtaining a majority to form the government after the 15th General Election in 2022.
The 18 parties in the unity government come from five political coalitions – Pakatan, Barisan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Warisan.
VIP guest: Anwar visiting stalls after officiating a hawker and petty trader carnival in Butterworth. — Bernama
The Malaysian Democratic Alliance Party (Muda) had previously joined but subsequently withdrew and joined the Opposition bloc as a third force.
Anwar said for the past two years, Malaysia was considered one of the most stable countries in the region, drawing interest from other nations.
He said when the country sought to join BRICS, Malaysia was among the top 30 countries that have its application accepted without a problem.
Malaysia, he explained, received overwhelming backing because of its political stability, adding that stability had laid the groundwork for clear policy directions.
At the National Hawkers and Petty Traders Day 2024, Anwar said investigations into the National Farmers’ Organisation (Nafas) over alleged cartel involvement in the distribution and supply of padi fertiliser contracts should be done without fear and favour.
He said investigations must be done fairly regardless of rank and position or whether it involved government or private companies.
“I will not hinder the investigation if there is a report. If it’s wrong, investigate. If it’s wrong, prosecute. If it’s wrong, punish,” he said.
On Oct 29, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that it was investigating a cartel involved in the distribution and supply of padi fertiliser contracts with a total value of RM1.8bil.
Nafas had suspended its general manager following allegations of fund mismanagement.
It also suspended its constitution, a move aimed at enhancing governance and management within the organisation.
