SHAH ALAM, Nov 28 — PKR today suggested that all Sabah and Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) federal lawmakers leave the coalition to establish a new political pact where they could lobby for better rights for the two east Malaysian states.
Party president and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said doing so would give the states a united voice when demanding better treatment from the federal government.
“Because right now, they have a BN Cabinet but the promises have not been fulfilled,” she told reporters after delivering her keynote speech at PKR’s national congress here.
“If they can work together and operate independently, if they work with us, as well as BN, we can put forth a stronger voice.”
She first mooted the idea in her speech earlier where she said BN’s 47 MPs from the two east Malaysian states should work together to demand their rights.
The PKR politician said the new east Malaysian pact could then negotiate with both BN and Pakatan Harapan further their cause in getting the best deal for Sabah and Sarawak folk.
“BN will continue to make its promises that they will fail to fulfill. Whereas Pakatan Harapan, specifically PKR, will offer our national reformation agenda as a joint assurance.”
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali added to this, saying that Sabah and Sarawak parliamentarians’ grouses have largely been ignored, and that this was an opportunity to have their voices heard.
When asked if this meant that PKR was willing to work with BN MPs, he responded saying they would consider many forms of collective discussions when it comes to national interests.
“For the sake of the state, country and the people, I believe we must consider what can be discussed,” he said.
