WORKING with Anwar Ibrahim or other parties is an option for Umno if the general election is not called once the Covid-19 pandemic abates, said Najib Razak.

The former prime minister, however, said there will be no room for DAP if an alliance is formed with Anwar.

Najib, in a Facebook post today, said working with Anwar was a secondary option for Umno to consider if it fails to push the government to fix a date for the next general election.

The Pekan MP had made this suggestion at the Barisan Nasional meeting this afternoon.

He added that Umno should be open to such options if they are unhappy with the treatment they have been receiving in Perikatan Nasional (PN), especially after the Sabah elections.

“I have seen that we could work with Muhyiddin (Yassin) and Azmin (Ali) in February, although at that time Bersatu was a foe that roped in many of Umno’s parliamentarians, so why can’t we negotiate with Anwar to work together on condition until GE15?” he asked.

Parliament should be dissolved to pave way for polls, so that the mandate can be returned to the people to elect the government and party of their choice, he said.

“I am of the view this is the best way for the country as the PN government’s slim majority is the reason for the political instability at the moment, which has also dampened investors confidence as they are worried the government will collapse at any time,” he said.

Najib also took a swipe at Muhyiddin for “making the wrong move” by attempting to get a declaration of emergency. He expressed concern that the prime minister’s failed bid to secure consent from the king and the Conference of Rulers will cause voters to lay the blame on Umno.

Suggestions made will allow Umno to play a bigger role in financial and economic affairs of the country, the portfolios monopolised by Bersatu ministers.

He drew attention to the fact there were no ministers from Umno, PAS or other parties holding the major portfolios as the key roles of the prime minister, finance minister, economic affairs minister are all held by Bersatu reps.

“With this we can craft a more effective aid and economic stimulus package, which includes extending the moratorium on borrowing and expediting the special package for Sabah that is much needed and has yet to be disbursed although the impact (of Covid-19) in the state is quite severe,” Najib said.

He also reiterated his disappointment on the way the government has handled the pandemic, especially with the emergence of prison clusters, which has fuelled the third wave of infections.

Even though Umno is not involved in the said ministries, the party will likely be blamed for any shortcomings.

Najib said Umno will be able to channel greater efforts into mitigating the shortcomings, if it is given a chance to play a more significant role.

Najib, however, is also open to the option of Umno continuing its conditional support for PN until GE15.

Nevertheless, he said certain conditions should be renegotiated so that Umno and BN are able to play a more significant role especially in the country’s economic affairs.

It is up to the party to consider the suggestions and make the final decision, he said.

“As a party member, I will continue to support the decision of the Umno Supreme Council,” he said.

Meanwhile, DAP leader Tony Pua has rejected any move to work with Najib in forming a new government.

The Damansara MP said those with seemingly unprincipled hunger for power would lap up Najib’s support to form a new government.

“I would never sign up with such a government.

“A government that has to depend on Najib’s support can go to hell. We already see that happening to PN,” he said in a Facebook post today. – October 26, 2020.