Decision to be based on consensus, says Najib

(The Star) SHAH ALAM: Any decision on the Penang Barisan Nasional chairmanship will be based on consensus between the coalition’s component parties, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said that as Barisan chairman, he would make sure all parties were consulted first.

Najib was asked to comment on Penang Umno chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that they were seeking the chairmanship as Umno held all the state seats won by the coalition in the last general election.

The position has been held by Gerakan for decades.

“That is just at proposal stage, it’s all right. But any decision will be in the Barisan spirit of consensus,” Najib told reporters after the launch of the Ikatan Hati Warga Felda carnival here yesterday.

Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said on Saturday that the party would object to any official proposal to change the status quo.

Meanwhile, in Klang, Dr Ahmad Zahid said his call should not be misconstrued as Umno trying to grab the post but to restore the people’s confidence in Barisan.

“If the move can strengthen Barisan, why not? We only want to ensure Barisan wrests the state,” he told reporters after visiting the NGV Tech Sdn Bhd shipyard yesterday.