Umno veep: Prejudice against the opposition must end
Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin has called for an end to prejudice by the party towards opposition MPs.
Likewise, Khaled - who was a former Johor menteri besar - said any negative perception against the government must also stop...
Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin has called for an end to prejudice by the party towards opposition MPs.
Likewise, Khaled - who was a former Johor menteri besar - said any negative perception against the government must also stop.
"All are important partners in a flourishing democracy and good governance.
"I hope the big step started by the prime minister will be followed with various consolidated steps from both sides," Khaled (above) said on a Facebook post last night.
His post followed a joint statement by Ismail and Pakatan Harapan leaders yesterday, issued after their inaugural meeting held in Putrajaya, upon the prime minister's invitation.
Ismail, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had, among others, agreed to strengthen the parliamentary institution.
In addition, the four leaders also acknowledged the importance of an independent judiciary and good governance.
Khaled welcomed the joint statement - achieved three days after Ismail reached out to opposition parties - as the beginning of a "very positive new era" in Malaysian democracy.
"Malaysian politics can no longer be stuck at the old level.
"The new paradigm in our democracy must be more flexible, open, and progressive," Khaled said.
Of Umno's three vice-presidents, Khaled was previously the lone voice who supported party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's call for Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation, leading to the fall of the previous Perikatan Nasional government.
Ismail previously ruled out the possibility of a unity government but invited the opposition to join the National Recovery Council and a Covid-19 special committee.
Harapan has not made a decision on the matter but Lim said DAP would consider it if the opposition is not made into a rubber stamp for government policies.
