KUALA LUMPUR: While Barisan Nasional is almost certain to go solo in the 16th General Election, the coalition may pursue other political cooperation after the polls, says its chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
It was also possible, he added, to reach an understanding with Barisan’s partners in other coalitions to avoid an overlapping of the seats contested.
Ahmad Zahid said he also foresees that no dominant party would emerge after the coming elections to form government.
“We have always gone solo. For pre-election, although our principle is to go solo, it is possible to reach an understanding to avoid seat overlaps with our current partners in the other coalition,” he said during an interview with selected media here yesterday.
Pressed further on Barisan going solo, he said this was meant to avoid any seat overlap and that the party would not reject the possibility of cooperating with other coalitions after the general election.
He said for instance in the last general election, some had questioned: “No Anwar, No DAP, No Bersatu, No Muhyiddin,”
“But once we crossed the bridge, meaning after the general election, there was a hung parliament,” he said.
“There was no dominant party that could form the government. Although we only have 30 seats, it allowed us to form the government.
“And I foresee that this will happen again. I don’t think that in the GE16, that there will be a dominant party that can form the government on its own. This is a fact that we have accept,” said Ahmad Zahid.
Barisan and Pakatan Harapan have worked together in state and by-elections following the formation of the unity government in 2022.
In the 15th General Election, some multi-cornered fights between Barisan, Pakatan and Perikatan Nasional saw split votes that resulted in Perikatan’s favour.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said a two cornered fight was certainly better than a three-cornered fight or more.
To a question if Barisan was comfortable working with Pakatan, he said he was but that does not mean that the coalition would remain complacent.
“But this understanding we have is established for the people.
“And for their interest, we will set aside any form of discomfort if there is such a thing.”
