DPM hints at early polls
(The Star) – KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has given the clearest indication yet that the next general election is just a few months away.
He also called for all Barisan Nasional parties and affiliate members to strengthen unity and move as a single team from now.
“The core issue of unity is critical. We may have had Team One and Team Two before but from now, there has to be only Team Barisan.
“There is not much time left. In the months ahead, we have to show that we are united.
“The people are watching us,” the Barisan deputy chief said when opening the 19th Indian Progressive Front (IPF) annual general assembly in Seri Kembangan, near here, yesterday.
The IPF, founded by the late Tan Sri M.G. Pandithan in 1991, is an affiliate member of Barisan since early this year.
Present at the assembly was his widow and immediate IPF past president Puan Seri Jayashree Pandithan.
Muhyiddin, who is Deputy Prime Minister, spoke on the Barisan’s “people first, performance now” policy, saying this must be given attention and practised by all members.
He reminded them that the desire to champion the cause of the people had long been the core objective behind the setting up of Barisan.
“The same goes with the IPF.
“The struggle is not for the late Pandithan but for the people, for their betterment. And this effort must continue,” he said.
Calling for continuous efforts to improve and defend national unity, he said the people should stick together against any element out to disrupt harmony in the country.
Drawing the delegates attention to the twin attacks in Norway that killed over 90 people, Muhyiddin said: “Irresponsible people have caused the loss of many lives.
“We do not want such a thing to happen here. We must stay united.”
Regarding the IPF, he said Barisan appreciated its support over the past two decades although they have yet to become a full-fledged Barisan component.
“We thank them for their support and urge them to continue to work hard for the people,” he said, adding the IPF was just a step away from being a full-fledged Barisan component party.
Party president M. Sambanthan said the IPF would continue to apply to become a Barisan member and hoped the party would be given a Senator’s post to better serve the people.
“We see the MIC as our big brother.
“We hope the door will open for us to become a component member.
“We will continue to support Barisan and work hard in the general election,” he said.
