Monday, July 28, 2008

MONDAY-28 JULY 2008- PREMATURE TO PROPOSE NEW PARTY, SAYS HISHAMMUDDIN


Premature to propose new party, says Hishammuddin


JOHOR BAHARU:


Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussien yesterday described the proposal by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to set up a new party to unite all the Malays as premature. He said it was not impossible for the proposal to be implemented, but it should be carried out in stages taking into consideration the public interest. “It’s too early to think in this direction because what we are discussing now (muqabalah) concerns the ummah in a bigger context such as in the field of education. “In discussions of this nature, it’s important for us to ensure sincerity and our intention is correct for the sake of the future generation. What Nik Aziz has suggested is not impossible but I think we should start slowly before it (the merger) becomes a reality,” said Hishammuddin, who is also the Sembrong Member of Parliament and Umno division head. He said this after attending the closing of a national-level schools ‘kompang’ competition, here yesterday. Nik Aziz yesterday suggested the formation of a new party based on Islam which would unite all the Malays so that the new party could be accepted by both Umno and PAS. Meanwhile in RA WANG, Selangor, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said unification of the Malays and the creation of a new party for everyone did not mean that Umno and PAS should be dissolved. He said there were various ways to achieve this objective including having dialogues or the ‘muzakarah’ which should be continued to maintain political stability in the country. “This is a major issue and needs lengthy discussions. There is no need to dissolve (the existing parties). It’s just that there are many ways to achieve solidarity because each party has its own cause. “PAS has its own struggles, Umno too has its own and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has its own cause. So, what is important is for us to achieve the common objective, there is no need for conflicts,” he said after visiting the Ar-Raudah goat breeding farm. Mustapa, who is also a member of the Umno Supreme Council, said: “We all have to be united on what we want to achieve for unity among the Malays, Bumiputeras and others races,” he said. In TAPAH, MCA Secretary- General Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said all members of the Barisan Nasional (RN) Component Parties should not worry or have any doubt about the dialogues or ‘muzakarah’ being held between Umno and PAS because it was Umno’s right to do so. He said such reservations should not arise as long as the muzakarah between Umno and PAS did not jeopardise the interests of the RN and the people of various races and religions in the country. “BN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan (Tengku Mansor) had also said that Umno would explain the outcome of the dialogues to the RN Component Parties at the next RN meeting,” he told reporters after opening the Tapah MCA divisional general meeting, here yesterday. Ong said the fear of the component parties was due to the PAS’ political ideology which contradicted that of Umno’s. Asked whether the MCA would hold dialogues with the DAP, he said it had never occurred to him to do so nor was there any necessity for the Party to discuss with the DAP.