GEORGE TOWN: In a smart partnership like the unity government, it is important for all components to strengthen themselves and create a positive impression of the collaboration, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that while it was important for all members of the Barisan Nasional coalition to work together, the new political reality is that they had to embrace the presence of other parties.
He urged them to increase their respective strengths through their members' support as well as that of the voters.
"There are 19 collaborating parties in all and I do not want any party to feel left out or 'kecil hati' when we work under a smart partnership," he told a press conference after launching Semicon South-East Asia here on Tuesday (May 23).
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, was responding to a question about a statement by MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon about parties within Barisan.
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"Give a positive impression of your party and let go of past issues.
"This will help you gain more support rather than bringing up such issues," he said.
On Monday (May 22), Chong urged the Barisan chairman to focus on taking care of the coalition's component parties, instead of other political partners.
"He should take care of and prioritise the interests of its component parties, instead of Pakatan Harapan, particularly DAP," he had said.
Chong's comments were, in turn, about Ahmad Zahid's statement that Umno members were finding it hard to accept DAP as a partner in the unity government.
