PETALING JAYA: The proposed “Perikatan Barisan Nasional” (PBN) name is simply meant to make it easier to refer to Perikatan Nasional’s cooperation with Barisan Nasional during the Negri Sembilan election, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (pic).
The Parti Wawasan Negara secretary-general claimed the name that was introduced by its president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was a spontaneous suggestion and was not meant to be the official name of a new political coalition.
“During one of his campaign speeches in support of Barisan and Perikatan candidates in the state election, Hamzah said it might be better to use a single name that combined both coalitions since some people had been using it when referring to the cooperation.
“He did not say it was an official name. It was merely to make things easier, so he suggested PBN.
“Why? Because Barisan is the senior coalition, it would be appropriate to retain its full name while using only part of Perikatan,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.
It was reported that several Umno leaders had expressed unease over the name, describing it as irrelevant because it did not reflect the formation of a new political coalition.
They also said the Barisan leadership had never discussed or approved the use of the new name.
According to Saifuddin, Hamzah had no objection if the name was not used.
“If people want to use BPN, that is fine. If they want to use another name, that is also fine. If, in future, we decide to adopt an official name, then we will discuss it formally.
“Hamzah has no other intention. He simply wants Wawasan to serve as a bridge in strengthening the Barisan and Perikatan cooperation to ensure the blue wave secures victory in the Negri Sembilan election and goes on to win the 16th General Election,” he said.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Hamzah had proposed that the Barisan and Perikatan electoral pact for the Negri Sembilan election be called “Perikatan Barisan Nasional”.
The next day, Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan responded to Hamzah’s name proposal by saying that the coalition has no intention of forming a new political alliance with any party to face future elections, but will instead seek mutual understanding with other parties to avoid splitting the Malay vote.
He added that Barisan would continue to operate independently and would not enter into any formal political collaboration with other parties.
