KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he is confident that his coalition will be able to form a stable unity federal government with Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said that he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting with seven BN representatives earlier today, including its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of the meeting. We had seven representatives from BN to discuss the formation of a coalition of government under my leadership.
“We prioritise key issues for this new government. First stability; we require political stability to carry the country forward.
“(It will be an) Inclusive government that will focus on governance and the economy which has been stagnant for the last few years,” he told a press conference at Seri Pacific Hotel here today.
Throngs of reporters who had waited since the morning saw MPs from BN, the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), PBM (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) and Parti Warisan thronging the hotel, which is located next to Umno’s headquarters at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier today, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the media that BN has yet to decide who to work with over forming a federal government.
In response to this, Anwar said he is optimistic, and it was “unreasonable” if BN could not deliver the numbers as they have to make a decision en bloc.
“BN says they want to go through the process of going through discussions with other parties that want to discuss it with them.
“I am still very optimistic that we will be able to form a government that is more transparent, democratic and safeguards the interests of the rakyat,” he said.
Zahid was accompanied by 25 other BN MPs today, with the only omissions being Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Simpang Renggam MP Datuk Hasni Mohammad, Kuala Pilah MP Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan and Jelebu MP Datuk Jalaluddin Alias.