MELAKA: Cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Pas will not undermine the rights and interests of non-Malays, based on the two parties’ experience of working together in the previous federal government.
Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said he had never witnessed a situation in which BN component parties MCA and MIC felt uncomfortable with the presence or views of Pas ministers during cabinet meetings.
He said differences in political views were normal and could be managed harmoniously without threatening the interests of any community.
“I am a living witness who has worked with Pas at the federal level, and I had no problems.
“Pas has its views, MCA has its views, and Umno certainly has ours. But these differences never reached a point where the rights and interests of any community were threatened,” he said in his speech at the Sembang Anak Muda programme in Kampung Batang Tiga, Bukit Rambai,
Khairy said BN’s victories in several state constituencies with significant Chinese voter populations also showed that the community continued to support candidates from the coalition.
He cited MCA’s previous electoral victories in Yong Peng through Ling Tian Soon, Chennah through Siow Kong Choon and Jementah through See Ann Giap as examples of Chinese voter support for BN.
He said the results showed that cooperation with Pas did not necessarily diminish BN’s support among non-Malay voters.
“I came to campaign in Melaka because I do not want BN to win only Malay votes.
“We must win votes from Malays, Chinese, Indians and other communities,” he said.
Khairy also expressed confidence that growing support for BN could translate into a “blue wave” at the ballot box, citing the encouraging reception he had received throughout his campaign tour.