KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Several political party leaders have described the government’s readiness to forge bipartisan cooperation with the Opposition as well as the proposal for a cross-party framework, as a step towards political maturity to stabilise the current political crisis by prioritising the people’s interests.
Bersatu Information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the bipartisan cooperation gives all political parties in the country the opportunity to get involved in the fight against Covid-19, in line with the whole of nation and whole of society principles held by the government.
“The ongoing political conflict does not benefit the people. Now is the time for all parties to sit together and mobilise all available resources to achieve a win-win situation in fighting the pandemic,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Communications and Multimedia Minister who is also Pahang PN chairman Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the special address on “Together in National Recovery” by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was seen as a landmark speech in Malaysian politics.
“It is mature, inclusive and bipartisan and has elements of reform. Hopefully this proposal will have the support to stabilise the current adversarial politics as we must put the people first,” he said in a tweet.
Muhyiddin in his speech today said the PN government he led had reached an agreement to negotiate with the leaders of parties outside the coalition to forge bipartisan cooperation to ensure political stability and enable the government to continue to function and tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition the government also presented seven proposals to implement a suggested framework of cross-party cooperation if the upcoming vote of confidence in the prime minister is carried in the Dewan Rakyat.
Meanwhile Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said all political parties should sit down to discuss if the terms are acceptable or not.
“PM Muhyiddin has proposed a way forward with a number of institutional reforms that could leave a lasting impact on Malaysian politics if passed,” he said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, former Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who had served as Family and Community Development Minister said, the proposals which she considered historic were the much-needed reforms for now.
“I pray that the proposed reforms will materialise and hope that the MPs will give priority to the people in making their decision.
Meanwhile Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president cum Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the prime minister’s latest announcement was a rare opportunity to work together and set aside political differences in living up to the “rakyat first” slogan.
“The seven proposals for stability and cooperation by the prime minister should be considered positively by all parties. It is an opportunity for inter-party cooperation and to work hand-in-hand to put this country back on a firm footing on the road to health and economic recovery.
“I call on my colleagues in the opposition to seize this opportunity to put the country’s needs first and give priority to economic and political stability in taking this country forward,” he said in a statement tonight. — Bernama
