REMBAU – Barisan Nasional (BN) has the right to determine its own political cooperation without being questioned by any party.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said BN's decision to cooperate with other parties in certain situations should not be seen as disrespecting its partners in the Unity Government.
He said the political landscape in Sabah had shown that parties within the Unity Government had previously contested against one another.
“What do they mean by saying it is disrespectful? I want to know what is disrespectful when, in Sabah, Warisan was part of the Unity Government but still contested against Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the time.
“So, in politics, I don't think there is anything wrong with that,” he said after the Santai Ngoca Sawah programme in Sungai Serai, Semerbok, here on Sunday.
The programme was held to show support for BN's candidate for the Kota state constituency, Suhaimi Aini.
Also present were Duyong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem, Rim assemblyman Datuk Khaidhirah Abu Zahar, and Alor Setar MP as well as PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden.
Elaborating further, Dr Akmal said there was no political understanding requiring BN and PH to adopt the same political stance.
“It should be understood that there is not a single agreement between BN and PH that requires us to share the same political position.
“BN is our choice. If PH wants to cooperate with other parties, that is their right,” he said.
He also referred to the situation in Sabah, where Umno and BN had decided not to work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), while PH had opted for a different approach.
“The same happened in Sabah. Umno and BN decided not to work with GRS, but PH chose to work with them. So don't blame us. If you can do it, why can't we?” he said.