AYER KEROH: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the cooperation with Barisan Nasional to continue in the Federal Government for the country’s stability.
“So if you ask me, 'Anwar, what is your choice?' I choose stability. I choose the prosperity of the people through economic growth, and I choose to continue working with Barisan Nasional and Umno at the federal level so that these two principles can be upheld,” the Prime Minister said during his speech at the PKR’s National Congress here on Sunday (Aug 16).
But if you ask me about my choice, that is my choice. As for their choice, let them answer for themselves,” he added.
He said as PKR was a party built on struggle, it was prepared to face any eventualities.
“If it comes to a clash, then so be it. But as I said earlier, we must act rationally and with wisdom, and we must safeguard this unity,” he added.
He reiterated that relations with Barisan, and Umno chief, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, remain good.
“And I believe we can negotiate amicably because we are friends, and we have heard it ourselves. So far, so far, I have not heard a single negative view at the Federal Government level. At the state level, only Allah knows,” he added.
He stressed that the price of safeguarding the country was very high. He said the party would also have to take into account its relationships with its partners in Pakatan Harapan - DAP and Amanah.
“Many Malays have told me, including people who approach me at the mosque: 'If DAP was not there, we would support you.' But choices must be made rationally and wisely. There must be loyalty,” he said.
"So I say, let us maintain this cooperation. Those outside may not agree with us on matters concerning Islam and the Malays, but the Chinese and Indians are also part of the Malaysian people. They are part of this unity government.”
"Therefore, we will continue this cooperation, and I urge all of you to exercise wisdom so that whatever steps we take do not go too far. Whatever we do, we must avoid unnecessary or excessive measures,” he added.
His statement comes as Barisan choose to part ways with Pakatan in forming the state governments in Negri Sembilan and Johor despite the cooperation on the federal level.
