BN Must Rethink Political Direction, Says UMNO Batu Chief

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) must seriously reconsider its political direction and adopt a bolder, more assertive approach to safeguard its survival amid growing tensions within the unity government, said UMNO Batu division chief Gulam Muszaffar.

Gulam said BN had made a major political sacrifice following the 15th General Election (GE15) by setting aside its own interests and supporting the formation of a government with Pakatan Harapan (PH), in accordance with the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the time.

He described BN’s decision to work with PH and provide 30 MPs to support the administration led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as a contribution that could not be denied or ignored.

“BN gave the milk of goodwill, but today it is being repaid with poisoned water,” Gulam said in a statement.

He claimed that for more than three years, BN had remained patient, restrained and focused on rebuilding its strength despite being part of the government.

According to Gulam, BN’s electoral successes in the Nenggiri and Mahkota by-elections, as well as the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, had increasingly caused PH to view BN as a political threat rather than a coalition partner.

He said the situation could become even more pronounced if BN performs strongly in the upcoming Melaka state election.

“The blue wave created by BN cannot be accepted by PH. In other words, PH does not want BN to become strong again,” he said.

Gulam alleged that PH’s political weaknesses, policy shortcomings, political miscalculations, lack of sincerity, alleged political intimidation and hunger for power were among the factors that could lead to its rejection by voters.

He also claimed BN had refrained from retaliating despite what he described as repeated political attacks from various quarters.

“BN has never launched a counterattack despite being ambushed from various angles. BN’s stamina has remained strong despite all the challenges,” he said.

Gulam further warned that it would be unwise for BN to continue depending on a political partner that, in his view, was jeopardising its own position and undermining its long-term prospects.

He said the time had now come for BN to seriously reassess its political future and consider a more radical and courageous course of action.

“The decisions made from this point onwards could change the entire landscape and political equation of Malaysia,” he said.

Gulam added that BN’s grassroots were waiting expectantly for the coalition’s next political move, stressing that the party must be “selfish” when necessary to protect its own survival.

“BN needs to put its survival first,” he said.