PEKAN: Pahang Barisan Nasional took into account three factors when it decided to collaborate with Pakatan Harapan to form the state government, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Firstly, Barisan has to be open to cooperate with any bloc whether Pakatan or Perikatan Nasional for the good of the people.
“Secondly, Pahang Barisan found that any choice of cooperation must take into account the ability of the cooperation to bring stability to the state government and the well-being of the people.
“This collaboration should reflect the plurality and diversity that is the strength of the state of Pahang,” he said after being sworn in as the Pahang Mentri Besar.
Wan Rosdy took the oath of office as Mentri Besar for the second term before the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, at Istana Abu Bakar here yesterday.
Tengku Hassanal also consented to the formation of the state government by Barisan and Pakatan after the results of the 15th General Election saw none of the parties able to obtain a simple majority of 22 seats to form the state government.
Wan Rosdy said Pahang Barisan also believes that the formation of the new state government should be parallel to the unity government formed at the federal level.
“This is to ensure that the administration and all plans made for the development of Pahang can continue and run smoothly,” he added.
Wan Rosdy said the state executive council consisting of the Barisan and Pakatan politicians will be formed soon.
“I would like to stress that this state government is a government that represents and serves all.
“I will ensure that all political sentiments and ideological differences are set aside.
“The priority of all at this moment is the stability and prosperity of Pahang,” Wan Rosdy said.
He added that the state government will also focus on the implementation of the 2023 state budget,
He also hoped that Perikatan would be an objective Opposition in carrying out checks and balances of the state government.
Wan Rosdy said negotiations with Pakatan had been amicable and focused on finding a win-win solution, and there was no pressure or demands put on Barisan.
On the Tioman election, he said it would be good if Pakatan gives way to the Barisan candidate but the matter was still being discussed.
Separately, state PAS commissioner Rosli Abdul Jabar said his party respects the people’s choice in the general election and will take on the role of the Opposition in the Pahang state assembly following the formation of the joint state government between Barisan and Pakatan.
“PAS and Perikatan will act as a constructive Opposition by reprimanding and advising all parties to ensure the state governance runs smoothly and is in line with Perikatan’s goal of forming a state that is caring, clean and stable,” he said in a statement uploaded to his Facebook page, reported Bernama.
There are 42 seats in the Pahang state assembly, but voting for the Tioman state seat was postponed to Dec 7 following the death of Perikatan candidate Md Yunus Ramli, 61, on GE15 polling day on Nov 19.
Pahang Angkatan Muda Harapan chief Young Syefura Othman welcomed the Barisan-Pakatan coalition and hopes that it will breathe new life into the state government’s administration.
In KOTA BARU, Bernama quoted PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man as saying the party would act as a constructive Opposition in the state for the benefit of the people.
“We will also give constructive criticisms. As for our personal relations with Barisan, we have no problem and respect the stance of each party,” he said during an event.
