Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin
(pic) believes the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition could also do with its own presidential council.
He said such a council would come in handy to discuss “sensitive” issues.
“If it brings benefits and will strengthen us, then why not? “I think there is a need for a presidential council so the chiefs can talk among each other on a deeper level of things that aren’t suitable to speak in a big group,” he told FMT.
However, Bung, who is Lamag Assemblyman and Deputy Chief Minister, said the matter has yet to be floated in the GRS coalition.
Asked if all GRS party leaders should be part of the council, he said: “We’ll think about that if we do decide to establish the council.”
On Saturday, PPBM President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin proposed a presidential council for leaders of parties which are part of the Perikatan Nasional-led Federal Government.
“This is important because not all party leaders are in the Cabinet,” he said, adding that through the meetings, party leaders could give their views for the Cabinet to take into consideration when making a decision.
The Sabah ruling coalition comprises PN, BN and PBS. Within Sabah PN, there are Sabah PPBM, Star and SAPP, while in BN, there are Umno, MCA and PBRS.
Analysts have previously suggested that GRS was a ticking-time bomb, predicting a tough road ahead for the coalition in keeping the outfit together after its slim victory over Warisan Plus in the Sabah elections.
The analysts said potential infighting, party rivalry and strong personalities within the loose coalition were potential triggers for a collapse.
Meanwhile, PN Information Chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the proposed formation of a presidential council comprising party chiefs of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and the call for Malay Muslim leaders to unite under a big coalition reflect Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s inclusive and open leadership.
He said these moves were aimed at creating a strong and stable government which could give the best service possible to the people, especially when the country is focused on efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and revive the economy.
“As stated by him (Prime Minister Muhyiddin) yesterday (Saturday), he had met Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to see how BN and PN can place the interests of the country and people above those of groups and political parties.
“It is important for all political parties supportive of government policies to be grouped under a more organised and structured coalition to strengthen unity for the sake of the people and country,” he told reporters after attending a programme in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday.
On Saturday, Muhyiddin, in his policy address at the Bersatu annual general assembly, said it would be good for all Malay Muslim leaders to be grouped under a major alliance to create stability in Malaysia, instead of being split in small factions.
Muhyiddin also said the national political crisis early this year had strengthened ties among the leaderships of Bersatu, Umno and PAS under a common platform, and that this could be regarded as an early step for achieving greater unity among the Malays.
Mohamed Azmin, who is International Trade and Industry Minister, said Bersatu and PN had clear objectives in their struggles and this was proven with their acceptance by the people in the recent Sabah State election.
“We can see that within a short period the people have become confident with the future of Bersatu, and this was proven in Sabah where the people gave their support to Bersatu and PN. We view this as a positive development,” he added.
