Pahang MB: BN-Harapan alliance due to PN's attitude

The BN-Pakatan Harapan alliance was created to ensure the country’s political stability, Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said.

According to Wan Rosdy, negotiations between BN and Perikatan Nasional went sour as PN appeared to be not interested in negotiating the setting up of the state government.

While Harapan offered to work with BN unconditionally, PN had offered Wan Rosdy a full senator-level ministerial position, while the menteri besar and state assembly speaker posts were to be given to PN.

Further,  Wan Rosdy claimed, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man requested for an equal proportion of PN members on the State Executive Council (Exco) and three appointed state assemblypersons to be given to PN.

However, Wan Rosdy said, PN later backtracked and offered BN the menteri besar post after they were informed Harapan did not place any conditions to form the state government.

“I was shocked. The government had not been formed yet, so how can an offer (for positions) be made?” said Wan Rosdy.

“To me, this was not wanting to negotiate, but (their decisions) had already been made… as if I agreed to request. There are 42 seats in the Pahang state assembly. If I went with them, there would be 22 votes in the state assembly, which can see to my elimination at any time

“So (if it happens) what will happen to the state government? We want to establish a state government because we want to continue our agenda to work and maintain stability and prosperity. There are many agendas to be done, not for politicking,” added the Pahang menteri besar.

The event held last night marked a first for the two coalitions which have teamed up to campaign following the formation of the country’s unity government.

The ceramah yesterday saw political figures from Harapan and BN sharing the stage, including Wan Rosdy who is also Pahang BN chairperson, Amanah chairperson Mohamad Sabu and Pahang Harapan chairperson Amirudin Shari.

Harapan had previously announced that it would make way for BN to contest the Tioman state seat.

‘Not my decision alone’ - Wan Rosdy

Wan Rosdy added that it was a unanimous decision to form the BN-Harapan alliance.

"The decision to be with Harapan was not mine alone. I brought it up in discussions with my fellow assemblypersons, in the Umno liaison body...

"I told them what happened and we assemblypersons and Pahang BN unanimously agreed to be with Harapan,” he said.

Yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim lamented the hard line taken in negotiations by Pahang BN, which he said made an unjust offer that the PN coalition could not consider.

In an article for the PAS party organ HarakahDaily, Tuan Ibrahim wrote that it was clear BN did not want to work with his coalition and that despite PN being the largest coalition in the Pahang state government, with 17 seats, they were offered only one post in the State Executive Council.

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