KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — The Unity Government National Convention which will take place at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here this Sunday (May 14), will be proof that the coalition of 19 parties making up the federal government can sit at the same table to raise the people’s agenda.

Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth Information head Mohammad Sollehin Mohamad Tajie said that although the government was formed through a coalition of different parties in terms of ideology, they all share the same value of striving to achieve stability in the country.

In denying claims that the convention is a preparation for the upcoming elections in six states, Mohammad Sollehin said the convention was a platform to unite the parties under the Unity Government to ensure that it continues to remain strong and stable.

"Our priority now is not the PRN (state polls) (but to) ensure the stability of the current government. If it is to face the PRN, maybe after the polls we would fight because the results are not good and end up causing a rift in the existing government.

"The most important thing is that this convention unites ideological differences, to sit together to ensure that the current federal government continues to remain strong,” he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme titled ‘Konvensyen Nasional Kerajaan Perpaduan: Hala Tuju Malaysia Madani’ tonight.

Similarly, PKR Communications director Lee Chean Chung described the convention as a positive sign towards strengthening the Unity Government.

"The people want to see a stable and united government to maintain stability. The convention proves that all parties in the Unity Government are determined to serve the people.

"Accusations and attacks from other quarters are normal but what is more important is that we are ready to serve the people,” said the Petaling Jaya MP.

Lee said the successful organisation of the convention would also open up more opportunities for grassroots supporters of the parties to understand the reason a consensus needs to be created to face economic and social challenges for Malaysia to continue to move forward.

Themed ‘Madani Mewajahi Masa Depan Malaysia’, the convention, which will be held for the first time since the formation of the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim six months ago, is expected to bring together more than 10,000 coalition party leaders. — Bernama