LDP ‘gives up’ on BN’s power-sharing concept
(FMT) – Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Deputy President Senator Chin Su Phin said that after 26 years, the party feels that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s much talked about power-sharing concept remains just a theory on paper, yet to be translated into action in practical ways. “I personally brought this up with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman but my pleas fell on deaf ears.”
Briefly, the BN concept holds that no party will have more than 50 per cent of the seats in a State Assembly or Parliament, decisions would be made based on consensus and compromises, Cabinet and government positions would be fairly shared at the state and federal levels, and the BN Supreme Council would meet regularly at the state and Federal levels to keep it open as a channel of communication. “We have been deprived of many things that we rightly deserve under the BN concept,” said Chin. “I am bringing this up not to criticize the coalition or the government in Sabah and in Putrajaya but to state the reality on the ground.”
“We have to bring this up as otherwise everyone will think that we are happy and have no complaints. If the BN Supreme Council meets regularly, as it was supposed to do, we can voice our grievances there.”
He cited as an example that the party does not have even one chairmanship in any government department, agency, or GLC whether at the state level or Federal level. “All we have are three state seats, a Minister, an Assistant Minister, all in Sabah, and a Senate seat.”
“Leaders should be outspoken for the sake of the people and voice out against unfair government policies. Politicians should put the interest of the people and country first if the BN is to remain in power.”
