BN partners: Najib should talk to Anwar
Anisah Shukry, FMT
In an unexpected turn of events, Barisan Nasional component parties MCA, MIC and Gerakan said they welcomed engagement between Pakatan Rakyat and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, “as long as it benefits the people”.
Their openness to the possibility of inter-party discussions flies in the face of comments made by Umno leaders that Najib was “too busy” to accommodate Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s invitation to talk on matters of national unity.
“To me, there is no harm with any discussions. I think that it is good to discuss among each other how the country can improve. There has been too much politicking this year,” said Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong.
“Election is over, 505 is over, so let us all work together to build the nation. I think the prime minister has a lot of plans to move the country forward, so let’s put aside our differences,” he added.
He warned the PKR de facto leader not to politicise every issue and to use the talks, should they take place, as a platform to support what was good for the people.
MIC central working committee member S Murugesan said that as prime minister of Malaysia, Najib should be open to talks with “everybody”.
“But of course, whatever the terms are must be agreed upon by the component parties. For instance, the discussions should be strictly about what can be done to benefit the country, and not for politicking.
“As the prime minister of the country, I believe that he should be able to discuss with anyone for the benefit of the country.”
Former MIC vice president SK Devamany also welcomed the talks, adding that remaining a fractured government would only harm the rakyat.
Time for real ‘inclusiveness’
The Perak state assembly speaker said the Pakatan-Najib discussions would be in line with the “inclusiveness” ideal as outlined in the New Economic Model, which he said he had worked on during his time as deputy minister in the prime minister’s department.
“All parties must play a role in bringing the country forward, and this is facilitated by us all coming together.
“Pakatan Rakyat should come before the prime minister with a full proposal on how we can help the rakyat. The more we are fighting, the more the rakyat will suffer,” Devamany told FMT.
