SHAH ALAM - UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan sent a cryptic message in his statement on Monday, beginning by urging Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) who grossed the largest number of votes in the 15th general elections (GE15) last Saturday to merge and form the government.
He then stated Barisan Nasional (BN) was ready to play its role as the opposition, overseeing check and balance in the new government and that BN accepts the decision of the people who rejected the coalition and thus conceded that they do not have the power to form a government.
The ensuing paragraphs, however, pointed to BN being open to negotiations should PH and PN negotiations come to a stalemate or if the two parties fail to see eye to eye, leaving the parliament hung with no party capable of raising number required to form the government.
"However, if our assistance is needed during this post-election transition time, we are still ready to contribute to sincere and open talk. If the government still can’t be formed, please don't blame us. This is the result of a democratic process, to return the mandate to the people. We only respect the decision," he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Ketereh UMNO division chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said in a press conference that UMNO does not have to beg to become a government unless the Prime Minister's candidate is from the party.
He said UMNO must remain the opposition without having to join PH or PN to form a government and the party leadership needs to acknowledge and respect the mandate of the people who rejected UMNO.
In GE15, BN gained only 30 seats, their worst performance since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, while PH won the largest number with 82 seats and PN with 73.
He then stated Barisan Nasional (BN) was ready to play its role as the opposition, overseeing check and balance in the new government and that BN accepts the decision of the people who rejected the coalition and thus conceded that they do not have the power to form a government.
The ensuing paragraphs, however, pointed to BN being open to negotiations should PH and PN negotiations come to a stalemate or if the two parties fail to see eye to eye, leaving the parliament hung with no party capable of raising number required to form the government.
"However, if our assistance is needed during this post-election transition time, we are still ready to contribute to sincere and open talk. If the government still can’t be formed, please don't blame us. This is the result of a democratic process, to return the mandate to the people. We only respect the decision," he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Ketereh UMNO division chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said in a press conference that UMNO does not have to beg to become a government unless the Prime Minister's candidate is from the party.
He said UMNO must remain the opposition without having to join PH or PN to form a government and the party leadership needs to acknowledge and respect the mandate of the people who rejected UMNO.
In GE15, BN gained only 30 seats, their worst performance since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, while PH won the largest number with 82 seats and PN with 73.