KUALA LUMPUR: While acknowledging that it would shore up Barisan Nasional’s (BN) power base, the ruling coalition’s component parties are concerned that an Umno-PAS unity government will see non-Malays being sidelined.
Several BN leaders outside of Umno told The Malaysian Insider today that they would only support the move if the interests of non-Malays can be guaranteed.
Gerakan Vice-President Huan Cheng Guan said that BN was now “pushed to the wall” with very few options to bring stability to the country.
“This is one of the options. In politics, anything is possible and if they can be sincere in taking care of other races and not just talking about Malay unity, then we should do it,” he said.
MCA’s Labis MP Chua Tee Yong agreed with Huan, adding that such a move would affect other BN components so Umno would have to seek their views on the proposal.
“The economic crisis and the constant politicking since last year’s general election calls for out-of-the-box thinking. Drastic times call for drastic measures.
“But if it’s solely about a Malay agenda, then it is a step backwards. But if they can safeguard the interests of non-Malays, then it warrants discussion,” he said.
MIC treasurer Datuk S.K. Devamany said that the party would be discussing the matter at its central committee meeting before coming up with a party stand.
“We should consider anything that can provide the people with what they want,” the deputy minister in the prime minister’s department said.
“If they can guarantee that other races will not be sidelined, then we will support it,” he added.
MI
18/06/09
Several BN leaders outside of Umno told The Malaysian Insider today that they would only support the move if the interests of non-Malays can be guaranteed.
Gerakan Vice-President Huan Cheng Guan said that BN was now “pushed to the wall” with very few options to bring stability to the country.
“This is one of the options. In politics, anything is possible and if they can be sincere in taking care of other races and not just talking about Malay unity, then we should do it,” he said.
MCA’s Labis MP Chua Tee Yong agreed with Huan, adding that such a move would affect other BN components so Umno would have to seek their views on the proposal.
“The economic crisis and the constant politicking since last year’s general election calls for out-of-the-box thinking. Drastic times call for drastic measures.
“But if it’s solely about a Malay agenda, then it is a step backwards. But if they can safeguard the interests of non-Malays, then it warrants discussion,” he said.
MIC treasurer Datuk S.K. Devamany said that the party would be discussing the matter at its central committee meeting before coming up with a party stand.
“We should consider anything that can provide the people with what they want,” the deputy minister in the prime minister’s department said.
“If they can guarantee that other races will not be sidelined, then we will support it,” he added.
MI
18/06/09
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