MUAFAKAT Nasional’s technical committee is looking at ways to strengthen the alliance between Umno and PAS, said Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan today.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the MCA annual general meeting, Mohamad said the alliance can either be cemented through the formation of a new coalition such as Pakatan Harapan or left loose, “Westminster style”.

This also includes the possibility of forming a new party or just keeping the two parties at status quo.

Mohamad, popularly known as Tok Mat, said Muafakat Nasional is now in the second phase of its co-operation.

“We are in the process of looking into it. We will bring it up in the BN meeting,” he said, referring to the coalition joining Muafakat Nasional.

Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said it is up to MCA and MIC if they want to be part of the alliance, saying everyone is welcomed.

The technical committee is expected to report back to the party leadership in a month.

He said the opposition should offer a new deal to Malaysians and must start behaving as a government-in-waiting and send the right signals to the people.

“We are talking about Malaysians now, we don’t talk about Malays, Chinese or Indians. Muafakat Nasional is embracing everyone.”

Meanwhile, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the 15,000-vote victory in the Tg Piai by-election is the first test for the opposition after Muafakat Nasional is formed.

He said although it seems like a major test, BN emerged victorious in its recent by-elections record.

He also reminded leaders to air their views directly to the chairman instead of issuing statements. – December 1, 2019.