BARISAN Nasional must be a strong opposition to keep new government accountable, say Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Despite suffering its worst ever electoral performance in history, BN must play its part by being a competent opposition in order to create checks and balance for the new government, PH’s Wan Saiful Wan Jan said today.

Wan Saiful, who had contested the Pendang parliamentary seat but lost to PAS,  said PH’s ‘Book of Hope’ containing their manifesto included provision of funds for opposition MP so that they could function.

“If we don’t have a functioning opposition, we will become another Umno-BN.

“If there is no functioning opposition to rise up in GE15 to challenge us and to provide a better narrative than what we can offer, all sorts of complacency will set in and it’s dangerous,” he said.

He also highlighted that in the manifesto, the opposition leader will also be granted the status and permission equivalent to a federal minister.

Earlier, former Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has qualities that would make him a strong opposition leader.

In the forum titled “Keeping the Promise of Reform” today, the DAP strategist said Khairy being made the opposition leader “would be something good for the country”.

BN suffered a huge defeat in the 14th general election (GE14) on Wednesday, winning only 79 parliament seats while PH won 122 seats.

Following the crushing defeat, former prime minister NaJib Razak resigned from his posts as BN and Umno chief. – May 14, 2018.