Barisan didn’t meet Perikatan leaders on forming govt, says Wee

Barisan Nasional has never met with any leaders or component parties from Perikatan Nasional on forming the government after the 15th General Election (GE15), says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA president, who is also Barisan vice-chairman, said the matter was never raised because no discussions ever took place.

“Let us compete under Barisan ticket. We pray the rakyat will give us a strong mandate,” he told reporters while campaigning with Barisan’s Kluang candidate Gan Ping Sieu here yesterday.

The Ayer Hitam and caretaker Transport Minister said Barisan would be able to form a stable government if it secured a strong mandate from voters.

“Just like after the Johor state election, which enable us to form a strong state government here, Barisan will be able to govern the country solo.

“Investors will have more confidence due to political stability and this creates prosperity in terms of more business opportunities and job creations for the people,” he added.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had said Perikatan was willing to work with any parties, including Barisan, to form a mixed government after GE15.

However, he said they would refuse to work with Pakatan Harapan.

Takiyuddin initially claimed there were prior negotiations on the matter but didn’t reveal the outcome.

However, he later said his statement was taken out of context.

In a separate statement yesterday, Takiyuddin said he was convinced Perikatan would be able to form a government on its own.

“I would like to emphasise that I have full confidence that Perikatan will be able to form a government on its own and that the prime minister will be from Perikatan.

“We believe the people will be more confident in Perikatan’s theme, which is caring, stable and clean,” he said.

Meanwhile Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin denied that a mandate had been given to Takiyuddin to negotiate a Perikatan-barisan collaboration after GE15.

Muhyiddin said the purpose of Perikatan contesting in GE15 was to form a government without having to work with Barisan or Pakatan.