No official talks with Umno

SHAH ALAM: Although there has been intense speculation that Perikatan Nasional could work with Barisan Nasional in the upcoming general election, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said it was not what vague words.

He said the remarks were rumors stemming from informal conversations between the leaders of the two coalitions.

Bersatu is a key part of Perikatan.

Hamzah was responding to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that attempts were made to persuade Barisan to leave the unity government, including a bid for the prime minister’s post.

Ahmad Zahid also said that opposition MPs had approached him to form a new political coalition and had requested four ministerial positions in exchange.

However, Hamzah said neither Perikatan president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin nor senior coalition leaders had authorized formal negotiations with government parties.

He said the meeting with Ahmad Zahid involved a Perikatan leader who is an “old friend” of the Barisan president.

“I spoke to the person who met with (Ahmad) Zahid, and he explained to me that it was not a formal discussion.

“It was just a casual conversation where he said, ‘Why be so afraid? DAP said all kinds of things about Umno, to which Zahid responded by asking him what he should do,” Hamzah told a press conference yesterday.

“The person then suggested that Barisan leave the national unity government. Zahid asked how a government could be formed if Barisan left, and the person replied: “You could join us.”

“It was just a suggestion and not a formal invitation from Perikatan. So how can Ahmad Zahid claim that there was a mandate from Perikatan? he added.

When asked to identify the individual, Hamzah replied: “You should ask Ahmad Zahid who this person is. »

Speculation is also rife about the identity of this person, with some pointing the finger at Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

Shahidan, however, held a press conference, denying having met Ahmad Zahid on the matter.

Shahidan, who is now part of PAS, said Perikatan leaders openly invited Barisan to form a new government in the name of Malaysian-Muslim unity.

“Such offers have been made publicly, including in the Dewan Rakyat.

“But I don’t know how the rumor came about that I met Ahmad Zahid to persuade Umno to leave the unity government,” he told Parliament.

Following a recent remark by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin who suggested that a coalition between PAS, Umno and Bersatu would benefit the Malay-Muslim community, Hamzah said discussions on alliances must come from the most high levels of leadership.

He said such issues should not be driven by lower-ranking officials.

“These discussions should come from party presidents, with representatives authorized to speak,” Hamzah said.

At the same press conference, he revealed that Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali would also be appointed as the new Perikatan secretary-general.

Hamzah said Azmin’s appointment is expected to be approved at the Perikatan supreme council meeting on December 9.

Bersatu is currently holding its annual general meeting at the Ideal Convention Center here. The meeting will continue until tomorrow.