Khaled: PN is directionless, non-Malays reps serve as 'ornaments'

Umno will not be part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition for the next election because the latter was "weak" and did not have a clear direction, said Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Speaking at the Pasir Gudang Umno division annual general meeting today, Khaled said Umno would continue to be part of the BN coalition in cooperation with PAS and "anyone else" in Muafakat Nasional.

"Umno is very clear on its position - strengthening Muafakat is the priority, and Umno will be part of PN.

"The main reason is PN doesn't have any strengths in defending the interest of Malays and Islam. That role is led by Muafakat," he said.

Khaled claimed that PN was also unable to attract the support of non-Malays.

"Their non-Malay representation is like penyeri (ornaments). They have two or three non-Malay ministers to make PN look attractive," he said.

On the other hand, Khaled said BN was relevant to Malaysia's plural society with its moderate ideology, consensus-based decision-making, and its administrative style that has modernised Malaysia.

"Moreover, PN is formed ad hoc among MPs, without referring to party members, without a clear ideology or a strategic mission for Malaysia," he said.

Khaled said Umno needed BN to manage the needs of non-Malays and the people of Sabah and Sarawak, stressing that no party can form a government without the support of all ethnic groups.

The Pasir Gudang Umno division was among 121 Umno divisions holding their AGMs this weekend. Another 30 divisions will hold their meeting in the next week.

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