FOR Perikatan Nasional to remain in power, a grand coalition with Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should be formed ahead of the 15th general election, said Hamzah Zainudin.

The Bersatu secretary-general said this political understanding must be maintained to face GE15.

“This is so that PN can not only continue to rule as the federal government but also succeed in taking over state governments still ruled by the opposition.

“To ensure the continuity of this consensus, I propose that this idea be formally created to symbolise the union of all three major coalitions with the Perikatan government, BN and GPS,” he said in a statement today.

Hamzah, who is also home minister, said the idea of a grand coalition will raise the vision and aspirations fought for by the political parties affiliated under it. 

“Therefore, a ‘charter of political understanding’ between these three coalitions of the big parties must be realised immediately.

“With the signing of this charter, the people will be more confident that the idea has strong political stability and the ability to continue to govern the country through policies to develop the economy, develop the country and defend the people in the future.”

During the formation of PN, the state governments were also taken into account to ensure continuity between the federal government and states.

“For that purpose, political cooperation is not forged on the basis of the party that has the largest number of assemblymen, but it was also on the basis of tolerance and mutual agreement between all parties involved.

“in this case, the division of the posts of chief minister and menteri besar need to be decided by consensus.

“For example, in Perak, the post of menteri besar belongs to Bersatu as the position has been held by a Bersatu representative before the formation of the PN government,” he said, referring to Umno’s ouster of the Bersatu MB.

Yesterday, Kota Tampan assemblyman Saarani Mohamad was sworn in as Perak’s 14th menteri besar before Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar.

Saarani, 59, replaced Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who resigned along with his exco last Saturday, after losing a confidence vote.

In Johor, Hamzah said the post of menteri besar was handed over to Umno even though the post originally belonged to Bersatu.

“This made four states led by representatives from Umno, including Malacca, Perlis and Pahang.

“As for PAS, an agreement has been reached for PAS to lead Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah while GPS has agreed to remain at the helm of the Sarawak state leadership.”

Hamzah hopes that this political understanding will strengthen the leadership position of PN government.

The PN partnership faced a test following Umno’s move in Perak, with Bersatu and PAS rejecting initially to be part of the new government. – December 11, 2020.