PETALING JAYA: The unity government’s first secretariat meeting will focus on finding a common ground to interpret the manifestos of its components, says Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The deputy prime minister told Malay portal Malaysia Gazette that doing so will help strengthen the unity government.
“We want to see all 148 MPs from the parties in the government unite, especially for the next five years.
“And for MPs of various parties to continue to strengthen the existing government, as after the 11th general election (GE11) no single party has won a two-thirds majority,” he said after attending an event held by the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda).
Zahid also noted that the secretariat’s meeting tonight at Menara Dato’ Onn would mark the first time that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would be setting foot in Umno’s headquarters since he was expelled by the party 25 years ago.
The meeting tonight will be attended by Umno and BN leaders, as well as leaders from Pakatan Harapan, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Warisan.
In the last Umno general assembly, Zahid had said the secretariat would be based at Menara Dato’ Onn.
He also said Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was heading the secretariat.
Among other things, the secretariat aims to ensure the continuity of the unity government, including attending to matters of political cooperation.
