Putra Jaya: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad commended Sabah and Sarawak's role in the GE13 by contributing many seats to BN, and expressed hope that they would be better represented in the government."At the moment, they still believe in the principle of cooperation although it is disappointing that the Chinese rejected it, but there were sufficient non-Chinese there to win seats," he said.
He also said the Chinese community should not be sidelined in the Government, as the fact remained that there were Chinese who supported Barisan Nasional in the recent general election.
He questioned that in the event that if there were no Chinese ministers in the cabinet, then who would represent the community.
"It would be a tricky thing to not have MCA leaders appointed (to the cabinet) because if there are no Chinese representatives, the situation will not be good for the government or country," he told a press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation building, here.
Dr Mahathir was earlier asked to comment on the decision made by the MCA top leadership not to accept any position in the state or federal government after faring worse in the recent general election compared to 2008.
Asked whether the opposition-DAP should be invited by the BN government and given a chance to represent the Chinese community instead, he said it was up to BN.
"It depends on the Chinese (DAP) if they want to participate or not, but I'm quite sure the DAP would not want to participate unless they are in a dominant position," he said.
Asked on the suggestion by certain non-governmental organisations for PAS to work with Umno for a better future for the Malays and Muslims, he said cooperation between the two parties was possible.
"I don't know whether it is best or not, but obviously there have to be some give and take.
Umno cannot insist on this and that and nor can PAS. There must be some adjustments made, then only will cooperation between the two be possible," he said.
