PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) should not create another political coalition just to win an election, Umno vice president Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

He said such plans were aimed at relying on the strength of bigger parties rather than securing support from the people through elections, in reference to Bersatu’s smaller size and weaker support compared to Umno’s.

Khaled was responding to a suggestion by Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin who said a “grand coalition” of PN, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should be formed ahead of the 15th general election.

“In a democracy, the real strength of the government must come from the grassroots and the people. It has to come through an election.

“In countries with advanced democratic practices, the establishment of political cooperation only occurs if the largest party does not have enough seats to govern and is often sealed after the election.

“PN, BN and GPS must build strength by winning votes and the real mandate of the people. Malaysia does not need a ‘coalition over coalition’ because it is a survival strategy to gain strength using the support enjoyed by the largest party and not from the support of society,” Khaled said in a statement.

He said PN was established through cooperation amongst MPs and was not a reflection of the people’s choice.

“Such actions failed to create political stability. What is the guarantee that this ‘coalition over coalition’ will produce the stability that Malaysia needs,” he said.

Hamzah said earlier today that a grand coalition comprising BN, PN and GPS would ensure the PN government continued to rule the federal government, as well as taking over state governments held by the opposition.

“I propose that this idea be formally created to symbolise the union of all three major coalitions with the Perikatan government, BN and GPS,” Hamzah said.

Khalid reiterated the position several Umno leaders have voiced before, that for Malaysia to have a stable government, the people’s mandate must be sought in an election as soon as possible.

“Bersatu must stop being nostalgic by saying it has made sacrifices to save the country. That is just rhetoric it uses to stay in power.

“We must return to the real battlefield to form a government that is determined by the people.” – December 11, 2020.