KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) and Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (PN-Marang) rejected the offer to join the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan).
Rafizi was responding to arguments raised by Perikatan Nasional MPs during the debate on the confidence motion in Parliament that they did not agree with the formation of the unity government.
“For your information, this matter should be referred to Pagoh and Marang, because they were both approached initially and were offered to form the unity government (together),” said Rafizi.
However, the offer was rejected by Muhyiddin and Abdul Hadi.
Rafizi said Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin is a better negotiator and if the situation permits, Perikatan could join the unity government one day.
Meanwhile, Rafizi said all political parties should set aside their differences and work with the unity government in efforts to help Malaysians in challenging times.
“We cannot waste the political stability in the country that comes with a two-thirds majority support of MPs,” said Rafizi.
“Stability is needed so that the government can make tough decisions,” added Rafizi, who’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy).
Earlier in the House, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) said Perikatan leaders were offered several Cabinet positions in return for their support towards Anwar’s unity government.
However, Takiyuddin said Perikatan leaders had rejected the offer, as they respected the mandate given by the 4.7 million Malaysians who voted for the coalition in GE15.
Perikatan currently has 74 seats, of which PAS has 43 MPs and Bersatu has 31.
Presently, Anwar leads the unity government with 81 seats, Barisan 30 seats, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (23), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six), Warisan (three), two independents and one each from Parti Bangsa Malaysia, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia and Muda.
