PUTRAJAYA, 11 Oct 2008: The Barisan Nasional (BN) Management Committee would look into the details of setting up a platform to allow direct membership for those not keen to join any of the ruling coalition’s component parties.
Deputy Prime Minister Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this was because some people who might have reservations about joining any particular party but want to be part of BN, could apply directly.
“But, we have to look in terms of the structure that we have in mind, and the terms and conditions, and so forth. So, our management committee will look into it.
“This is part of the reform that we have, because quite a number of young Malaysians like to see a multiracial party. So, they may prefer to join BN directly,” he told reporters after attending Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan’s Hari Raya open house here today. Najib was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi andwife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, attended the event later.
Najib was commenting on Abdullah’s proposal today to allow direct membership to the coalition. The prime minister was speaking at opening of the Gerakan National Delegates Conference.
Asked whether there was any objection from the grassroots, Najib said: “I don’t think so. But we have to work out the structure. The principle, I think, is well accepted.
Meanwhile, the BN chairperson’s proposal got the thumbs-up from several component party leaders.
They, however, feel that the proposal needs “some” fine tuning and details worked out at all levels before its implementation.
MIC deputy president Datuk G Palanivel said the ruling coalition’s political leaders should hold talks to reach a consensus on the said proposal.
He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the conference in Menara PGRM here today.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said those who were keen to join the BN should have a clean track record.
“We should scrutinise the background of the interested member first, including studying the person’s track record.
“We also need to check if the applicant was previously in any BN component party or the Opposition,” said Tengku Adnan, adding that he was only concerned with the implications behind the suggestion.
Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said the prime minister’s call was timely, taking into account the true Malaysian spirit. — Bernama
