Shafie: Coalition govt must learn from BN's ups and downs

The coalition government must learn from BN's experience if it wants to remain intact, said Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Particularly, he said they must learn how a powerful coalition can come crashing down after the 14th general election.

"BN was dominant when we gained independence. Thank God, it positioned the country as a 'new tiger'.

"There were strengths then. MCA, MIC and Umno were strong. But how did their time in power go from being dominant to witnessing MCA, MIC, Gerakan becoming weak - and after that Umno as well?

"This (experience) must be shared," he said in his speech at the Unity Government Convention today.

Shafie (above) said the parties that form the federal government must not doubt one another, and should instead be supportive while also giving constructive criticism.

Shafie was a former Umno vice-president until he left the party in 2016 due to the 1MDB scandal.

Muhyiddin Yassin, then an Umno deputy president, got booted out in the same year by then Umno supremo, Najib Abdul Razak.

Their departure, combined with Umno splintering that ear which led to Bersatu being formed, marked the beginning of the Malay party's decline in influence - which saw it lose power in 2018.

His party Warisan - which has three MPs - is a junior partner in the coalition government.

Meanwhile, Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor - whose backing was crucial in forming the federal government - reiterated his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition's undivided support to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the top leadership.

He said they also supported the government's efforts to eradicate poverty and hoped Sabah would not be sidelined in this effort.

• M'sia would be very different if it wasn't for Zahid, Umno - PM

• Zahid: If we back Anwar, Madani govt can go beyond GE16

• ‘Move on’: Wee says over BN-Harapan’s former rivalry

• Take care of ‘people’s economy’ or risk downfall, Umno veep tells govt

• Govt parties should enhance compatibility - Zahid

• 'Geng Perpaduan', a commitment to strengthen people's unity – DPM

• Loyal 'forced marriage’ better than 'cheating' partner’ - Umno

• Grassroots take time to warm up to ex-rivals at unity convention

• ‘We were foes, now friends for better M’sia’ - Wanita DAP

• At unity convention, PKR Youth chief sees end to decades of political rivalry

• All eyes on unity govt convention today

Warisan to sit out of state polls to show sincerity to unity govt

COMMENT | When not to believe the next Sheraton 2.0 plot

Warisan not contesting in state polls - Shafie

Karamunting rep quits Warisan, joins Gagasan Rakyat

Refine anti-hopping law, extend it to Sabah, urges Shafie