SUBANG JAYA: Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday he was open to the idea of a national unity government as suggested by PAS if the arrangement could benefit the country.
The formation of such a government would depend on the basis and objectives of the proposal, he said when asked for his response to PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang’s call recently for a national unity government.
Muhyiddin said despite political differences between the parties, he would be receptive to suggestions which were reasonable and sincere about bringing the country out of the political turmoil.
“I am open and don’t want to dismiss anyone with good intentions but whatever happens, it has to be proposed in detail for the party’s consideration,” Muhyiddin told reporters after a luncheon organised by the Malay Economic Council.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam had already rejected Hadi’s suggestion, calling PAS a “flip-flop” party, while PKR information chief Tian Chua said Pakatan Rakyat was generally agreeable to forming a unity government on the condition that it be helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
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This article first appeared on 13 March 2009 in www.theedgemalaysia.com under the title Muhyiddin open to ‘unity govt’ idea. Used with permission.
