No need for merger
KEPALA BATAS: There is no need to merge Barisan Nasional coalition parties into one for now, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday.
He said the current approach of muafakat (understanding) among the coalition parties had been practical and effective all these years.
“I am not saying that this (merger proposal) is impossible, but perhaps sometime in the future ... but for now, I have yet to see its advantages, especially on its practical side,” he said after presenting Hari Raya aid to Muslims at his service centre here yesterday.
Abdullah said the muafakat formula practised by the Barisan was good , as each component party could raise the problems faced by the race it represented.
“And, we are able to discuss among ourselves to find a solution that can be accepted by all quarters.
For you: Abdullah chatting with Azizah Ibrahim, 71, while presenting Raya aid at SMK Sri Muda, Penaga, in Kepala Batas yesterday.
“So, we will continue with this approach for the moment,” he said.
He was commenting on a proposal by Gerakan Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong during the party’s National Delegates Conference in Kuala Lumpur on Friday that after 50 years of independence, all 14 coalition parties should be merged into one to achieve national unity.
“The co-operation and understanding among Barisan component parties is instead very good. And, the policies that have been approved are based on joint discussions within the coalition,” he said.
Abdullah noted that a merger could probably create certain factions from different ethnic groups that might selfishly support their candidates to win seats.
In Kuala Lumpur, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said merging BN component parties into one entity would dilute the support and strength of the non-bumiputra parties.
He added that every Barisan component party had to take care of their its own supporters and community, and it would be difficult for parties to state their case to the leadership if they were to be merged.
“If all parties join together, some of them will become like small kacang (nuts) in a curry.
“Once we all join one party, I cannot bring up the problems of the Indians to the Government and the Prime Minister.
“The majority will rule while the minority's voice will not be heard. I don’t think such a suggestion should have been made in the first place,” he said after chairing an interactive session with MIC division and branch leaders on preparations for the general election yesterday.
In Shah Alam, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said any merger should be allowed to take place naturally at its own pace.
Muhyiddin said after launching the Hari Raya Farmers Market yesterday that there was a need to allow integration and unity to grow and a “Bangsa Malaysia” to develop before the component parties that represented the various races, ethnic groups and religions could be merged.
Muhyiddin said efforts now should be channelled towards encouraging better relations between the races to pave the way for the level of integration and unity needed for Gerakan’s proposal to become a reality