GEORGE TOWN: Any proposal for the “Perikatan Barisan Nasional” name should be discussed in a formal manner, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
The Barisan chairman said the proposal for the Barisan-Perikatan Nasional electoral pact for Negri Sembilan to be called Perikatan Barisan Nasional was only mentioned in a speech and was not derived from a formal discussion.
“The speech was made during campaigning. If the proposal is serious, then discussions should be held and it should be formalised,” he told reporters.
Ahmad Zahid was commenting on a statement by Parti Wawasan Negara president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who wanted the electoral understanding between Barisan and Perikatan to be recognised as “Perikatan Barisan Nasional”.
Hamzah was reported to have said that this would enable the people to identify the understanding between the two coalitions.
“It’s difficult to say PN-BN, so let’s call it PBN. However, what is important is not the name but the spirit of togetherness that we share to determine the future of Negri Sembilan,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Umno leaders have played down the proposal, saying that the Barisan-Perikatan arrangement is solely for the state polls.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said such terms are irrelevant as their cooperation did not amount to the formation of a new coalition.
“The statement was made out of the context of what was previously discussed. For me, that label is irrelevant,” he said when met at an event, Sinar Harian reported.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the Barisan leadership have never discussed or approved the use of that label.
“Perikatan Barisan Nasional is his (Hamzah) own statement. Our leaders have never agreed to this. It’s more about working together, establishing an understanding, minimising clashes and winning the state polls together,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi urged all parties to sincerely accept the cooperation that was formed.
Negri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said coining any term to describe Barisan and Perikatan’s electoral understanding was not something that should be given much thought towards.
“That was his (Hamzah’s) suggestion and it will be decided by the leadership,” he said.
Barisan is contesting 25 seats for the Negri Sembilan polls, while Perikatan is contesting 11.
There are 36 seats in the state legislative assembly. Polling is on Aug 1.
