‘DECISION BASED ON CONSENSUS’
PH parties to hold talks before accepting individuals or parties, says Salahuddin
PAKATAN Harapan (PH) will hold discussions before accepting any individual, or parties, that want to join the coalition. PH vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said the coalition wished to uphold the principle of its chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, that any decision made by the new government must not be done in a rush.
“We will not be hasty in making the decision of whether to accept any individual (into PH). If there are those who want to join PH, they will have to make their intentions clear. But, any decision will be done based on consensus,” he said.
He was speaking at the Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) and Shah Alam parliamentary-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house yesterday.
The agriculture and agro-based industry minister said the entry of individuals, especially from Barisan Nasional, would be brought up to the PH presidential council.
“Anyone has a chance to join PH or leave. However, all decisions (whether one is accepted by PH) must be discussed before an agreement is reached by the party,” he said.
In Ipoh, PH component parties were reminded not to take in Barisan Nasional leaders who quit the party.
Perak PAN Youth Communication director Muhammad Faeez Azahar said the inclusion of former BN leaders in the PH government was not met positively by the people because former BN leaders seemed to have vested interests and agendas.
“The situation is different from the bold action of the Umno and BN leaders who quit the party before the 14th General Election and fought alongside Pakatan Harapan leaders, which resulted in its victory,” he said.
He was commenting on the action by Bagan Serai member of parliament Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali, who announced his exit from Umno and BN yesterday in support of PH.
Faeez said it aroused suspicion and that it seemed there was a hidden political agenda, adding that the decision was possibly not done in the interests of the people and the country.
“Today (yesterday), Dr Noor Azmi leaves Umno and declared himself to be an independent representative. He also expressed his desire to join Pakatan Harapan in the future.
“Perak PAN Youth is receiving this news with scepticism because all of us are aware of his stand.
“His statements and actions prior to this did not show that he was a leader who understood the pulse of the people,” he said.
Earlier yesterday in Bagan Serai, Dr Noor Azmi said he would throw his support behind the Federal Government, led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and the state government, led by Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
He said his decision was meaningful for him as well as for the Bagan Serai people he represents in Dewan Rakyat.
“It is not easy for me to come out with this statement and make this decision.
“I took into account the people’s interest, (and I have fought) for religion, race and country.
“The people of Bagan Serai chose me to be their member of parliament in the 14th General Election.
“I hope (the public) will understand my decision and that it will be accepted by Bagan Serai voters,” he said.