PARTIES MUST THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE QUITTING BN AS GE16 NEARS, SAYS AHMAD ZAHID 

SEMENYIH, Dec 14 (Bernama) – Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has cautioned component parties to think carefully before deciding to leave the long-established coalition, warning that political realignments over the next two years could leave some parties disadvantaged.

Ahmad Zahid said the political landscape is expected to undergo significant changes ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16), making it crucial for parties to weigh their decisions prudently.

“The political landscape will change. I am confident it will change because within the next 24 months leading up to the 16th General Election, many things can happen and will almost certainly happen.

“So I caution against regretting decisions that are not aligned with changes in the political landscape. I fear some parties may end up in a state of uncertainty, and they should not regret it if that happens,” he said, without naming any party.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, told reporters this after officiating the Indian Progress Front (IPF) general assembly here today.

In this regard, Ahmad Zahid said BN has yet to receive any official letter from MIC following its resolution to propose withdrawal from the coalition, and no decision has been made on the matter.

He also said no meeting has been held between BN and MIC since the party’s 79th Annual General Assembly on Nov 16. 

Meanwhile, when asked whether BN would consider accepting IPF as a core component party, Ahmad Zahid said the matter is subject to unanimous consent among BN component parties, as stipulated under the coalition’s constitution.

“As we are bound by the BN constitution, all parties within the coalition must unanimously agree by consensus to accept any party as a core BN component.

“Due to this constitutional requirement, not only IPF, but many other parties have not been accepted as core component parties,” he said.

-- BERNAMA