Latest news with #politicalcooperation
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Bring it on': Akmal Saleh dares DAP to sever ties with him, says doing so means renouncing Umno too
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has today dared DAP leaders to break ties with him, following a call by the latter's Youth wing in Penang. The firebrand leader said such a move would be akin to DAP cutting off ties with its government ally Umno. 'Breaking ties with me = breaking ties with the Umno Youth member = breaking ties with Umno. 'Ok, bring it on,' he posted shortly on Facebook. Earlier, Penang DAP Socialist Youth urged the party and wing's national leadership to end all political cooperation with him, especially ahead of the next general election. It said Dr Akmal's behaviour allegedly goes against the Unity Government's stance of embracing diversity, but also deliberately stokes racial sentiments — in return undermining public confidence in the government's ability to safeguard national stability. The wing also accused Dr Akmal of becoming a tool of Perikatan Nasional to disrupt the government's administration. DAP's national leadership has since condemned Dr Akmal, with secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook saying the act amounted to bullying and intimidation of the trader and a subversion of the rule of law. Yesterday, the police had urged the cancellation of a planned gathering in Bertam over the issue of Malaysian flag, to prevent any confrontation between opposing groups. The controversy began when a 59-year-old hardware shop owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, was investigated after the Jalur Gemilang was seen hanging upside-down outside his premises. The shop owner has reportedly said it was an unintentional mistake made while measuring a flagpole, which he corrected soon after. Umno Youth however proceeded with its protest, with hundreds attending, along with a counter-protest by civil society Lawyers for Liberty.
Free Malaysia Today
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No decision to join proposed United Opposition Front yet, says Muda
Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz said Muda is open to working with any party that shares the same ideals, as reflected in its cooperation with PSM and Pejuang. PETALING JAYA : Youth party Muda has yet to decide whether to join Bersatu's proposed United Opposition Front, following a meeting yesterday between leaders of parties outside the government bloc and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin to discuss the idea. Acting Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz said her party believes that the opposition must be firm, principled, and strong in holding the government accountable for the responsibilities entrusted to it. She said Muda is open to working with any party that shares its commitment to the same policies and principles, as reflected in its cooperation with Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Pejuang. 'However, no formal decision has been made regarding any political cooperation at this stage. All discussions on political alliances will be made collectively by Muda's leadership,' she said in a statement. Amira, who attended last night's meeting, said the participants shared a few core issues they each deeply care about, including the rising cost of living, the alleged growing abuse of power, and unfulfilled promises of reform. The other attendees included Urimai chairman P Ramasamy, Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir, Putra president Ibrahim Ali, Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy chairman S Arutchelvan, and Malaysian Advancement Party president P Waytha Moorthy. Earlier today, Ramasamy expressed his support for the Bersatu proposal, saying such a bloc could serve to consolidate the strength of the opposition, especially among Chinese and Indian voters, in anticipation of a more profound electoral shift in the next general election. Arutchelvan said no decision had been made for PSM to join the proposed grouping. He said any decision to join a new coalition could only be made by the party's congress. At its Supreme Council meeting on Tuesday, Bersatu authorised Muhyiddin to spearhead efforts to build ties with parties outside the government bloc to form a united opposition front. The party's secretary-general, Azmin Ali, said the initiative would entail discussions aimed at forging a unified position on issues concerning the rakyat's interests. Following last night's meeting, Muhyiddin said he would raise the views of the party leaders at the next PN Supreme Council meeting.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
DUP leader calls for unionist parties to co-operate
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party called for more political co-operation among unionist parties in his address following the Belfast Twelfth of July parade."When unionism splits, unionism loses," said Gavin Robinson, who was the main speaker at the Belfast cited the loss of the Lagan Valley Westminster seat to Alliance in the 2024 general election as an example and called for talks between unionists on more political views were echoed by the Orange Order's deputy grand master Harold Henning, who called for "closer collaboration between the leadership" of unionist parties to "maximise unionist representation at all levels of government". Thousands of people took part in Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland on annual marches commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in event is also a celebration of Protestant traditions and Ulster-Scots heritage. Robinson said the Twelfth was about "faith and freedom", but told the assembled crowd some people dismissed the event and "would rather we keep our heads down"."It crosses class, it bridges geography and it cuts across party political lines," he was also critical of the Labour government and the Windsor Framework, calling the Northern Ireland Protocol "a once in a generation act of self-harm to the union".He said unionists had received "broken promises" from the Labour government, adding that it was not prioritising Northern framework is Northern Ireland's post-Brexit deal which covers trade and human at the Twelfth event in Maghera, County Londonderry, Mr Henning said he wanted to send a message of collaboration to unionist politicians."Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged - more than that, it should be demanded and country should always come before party or individual self-interest," he said. Robinson's party colleague, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little -Pengelly said people wanted to see a "united front" within the Orange Order and political unionism."Within every hall, within every lodge, there are people from all different shades of unionism, all different types of political views within the unionist family, and yet they walk together, they are friends, they are brethren, regardless of those particular shades of unionism," she said."That's a big message for political unionism."
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Bung: Sabah Umno will not be a pawn in power games
KOTA KINABALU, June 15 — Sabah Umno has welcomed Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's (GRS) readiness to contest in the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17), but stressed that any political cooperation must be grounded in sincerity, mutual respect, and shared values — not convenience or a mere hunger for power. Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, responding to recent remarks by GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said such statements were part of the democratic competition between parties operating in the same political space. 'In principle, this is nothing extraordinary. In fact, it reflects a healthy democracy, where ideas and policies are tested in the open,' Bung Moktar said in a statement on Sunday. However, he firmly asserted that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah would not shape their political direction based on cues from others, nor would they wait for a 'green light' to determine their next move.'Any cooperation must be evaluated through a broader lens — political legitimacy, strategic autonomy, and, most importantly, sincerity in partnership,' he said. He emphasized that BN remains open to cooperation, but only with allies who are genuinely committed — not only in signing agreements, but in respecting their partners and delivering on shared policies. 'BN will not collaborate merely to strengthen numbers or support a fragile grip on power. Partnerships built on paper but lacking real trust and action are like houses built on mud — they might stand briefly, but they collapse under pressure,' he said. He added that the coalition had learned from past experiences, which showed that alliances without true intent only lead to weak, inconsistent, and untrustworthy governments. Commenting on the challenge posed by GRS, Bung Moktar said Sabah Umno is prepared to face it head-on through democratic means. 'If GRS is ready, we welcome the contest. Democracy thrives on competition. Let the people decide who truly deserves their trust — not through borrowed support or shortcuts, but through proven strength and sincerity,' he said. He also called on Sabahans — particularly the youth and politically conscious middle class — to re-evaluate the political choices before them. 'BN Sabah returns not with empty slogans, but with a tested record. We have governed, we have been tested, and now we return with a renewed resolve — not to repeat the past, but to do better,' he said. 'Ultimately, political legitimacy does not lie solely in seat counts. It lies in the people's belief in the sincerity of our struggle,' he concluded. Armizan has called for GRS to face off against BN in the upcoming state election. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said a direct contest would allow voters to decide who should govern Sabah, aligning with Bung Moktar's preference for BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to compete without GRS. 'Everyone must respect Bung Moktar's stance. No one should dismiss his autonomy as Sabah Umno chief,' Armizan said in a statement on Saturday. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
BN ready to explore alliances for Sabah state election, says Zambry
PUTRAJAYA, May 26 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is open to exploring political cooperation with any party in preparation for the upcoming Sabah state election, said its secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. He said discussions are already underway, although he did not reveal the names of the parties involved. 'BN has begun a series of talks, and I can confirm that the process is ongoing,' he told reporters after attending the Karisma Pemimpin Muda Madani 2025 programme here today. Zambry stressed that both BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have component parties based in Sabah, and as such, an inclusive approach is essential to ensure the stability and strength of the coalition. He added that negotiations are taking place through both formal and informal channels among key stakeholders, ahead of what is expected to be a closely contested election. Yesterday, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said initial discussions between BN and PH on seat allocations had begun and would be finalised once the Sabah state legislative assembly is officially dissolved. Meanwhile, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, during the 2024/2025 PKR Annual National Congress last Saturday, called for at least 13 seats to be allocated to PKR for the state polls. — Bernama
