Ahmad Zahid: I did not plead with PBB to stay in coalition

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional acting chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has rubbished claims that he had “pleaded” with a Sarawak component party to remain in the coalition.

He denied meeting Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg over the matter.

“The reports that PBB is leaving Barisan is beyond my knowledge. In fact, I did not meet with the Chief Minister (Abang Johari) and ‘ merayu’ (to plead) for PBB to not leave Barisan,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid however said that he respects and welcomes the stand by PBB and other Sarawak Barisan component parties in wanting the state to foster cooperation with the Federal Government leadership.

Barisan, he added, always has an open mind in encouraging state governments under the coalition to take similar steps for the sake of the rakyat and the states.

“I also hope no one will act unprofessionally by spreading unsubstantiated news,” he added.

The Sarawak Barisan component parties will meet on June 12 to decide whether to leave the coalition.

An online news portal had reported that Abang Johari had allegedly told Dr Ahmad Zahid that PBB would be destroyed if it did not distance itself from the coalition.

The other parties are Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

Sources claimed the parties had little interest in staying in Barisan after GE14 and would prefer to form their own Sarawak-based coalition to focus on the state’s interests and prepare for the state elections in 2021.

However, other Barisan component parties said they would respect the decision of PBB and other Barisan parties in Sarawak, should they decide to leave the coalition. Some also believed it is a wake-up call for Barisan to address its weaknesses.

MCA publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said such a move was expected in a democratic process.

“We respect their (parties) decision. It is part of the democratic process. Every party has to make adjustments and plan for its survival..

“We are under different circumstances now, so we should respect their choice and be gentlemen about it,” he said.

MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said it is expected that many political parties will re-define their political strategies after the GE14, which saw Barisan securing only 79 out of the 222 parliamentary seats.

“To me it is their call. We have to accept it, while recognising that this will weaken the already weakened Barisan,” said Dr Subramaniam.

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau said if PBB has made the decision, “then we respect it.”

“We remain friends outside. Nothing is permanent in politics,” he added.