MELAKA: The mandate for the unity government should be returned to the people if parties can no longer uphold the conditions agreed upon when it was formed, says Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said the conditions included respecting the Malay Rulers, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Islam and the special position of the Malays, and urged DAP leaders to honour the agreements underpinning the unity government.
Asyraf said there were two important agreements - the pact between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan and the agreement on the formation of the unity government.
"These agreements clearly set out the conditions under which the government was formed, following the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, with certain parameters and guidelines," he said.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional grand finale ceramah in Bukit Katil on Thursday (Nov 12) night, he said all parties had to remain loyal to the country's institutions and not make a mockery of the Malay Rulers and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"If they feel they can no longer abide by these conditions, then the agreement will automatically become void. When that happens, we should honourably return the mandate to the people," he said.
He said prolonged political disputes could undermine government stability and affect investor confidence.
"Do not burden the people with continuous polemics that could make the government unstable. It will also not reflect well on the country in the eyes of investors," he said.
Asyraf reiterated that Barisan did not want to topple the government through a backdoor move or seek a change of prime minister.
"Barisan Nasional's position is clear. The president has always said that we do not want to resort to 'tebuk atap' or change the prime minister.
"What we want is to return the mandate to the people because we believe the red lines we had set have been crossed," he said.
He also pointed to the average duration of previous parliamentary terms, saying general elections had historically been held after about four years and one or two months, and November marked four years since the last general election, he added.
On the possibility of greater political unity among Malay parties, Asyraf said this should not be seen as an attempt to sideline other communities.
"When the Malays are united, the other communities will also be better protected and live in harmony. That is the foundation of our country," he said.
He noted that cooperation among Umno, PAS, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional would not marginalise other communities.
"Malaysia belongs to everyone - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Dusuns and the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
"So there is no question that when the core community is united, other communities will be oppressed. That will not happen," he said.
