PASIR GUDANG: Umno should not be afraid to stand alone with Barisan Nasional in the next general election, says its vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also in favour of early polls for the sake of stability.

       The former Johor mentri besar said Umno needed to have a firm stand on its relations with PAS.

       “In the Melaka state election, it was clear that PAS had chosen Perikatan Nasional and not Muafakat Nasional.

       “So it is better for Umno to be prepared to go solo with Barisan and stand on its own without having any rivalry with PAS.

       “Umno should also not run away from taking any risk and should be willing to take on major challenges,” he told reporters after officiating the Pasir Gudang Umno division annual general meeting yesterday.

       Mohamed Khaled, who is also the division chief, called for a general election to be carried out as soon as possible to maintain stability in the country.

       “We need to realise that the current government is a temporary government that is made up of a collaboration from smaller parties that do not bring long-term stability.

       “If the government is not stable, how are we going to bring about the much-needed reforms for the country, especially following the pandemic?” he asked.

       However, he added that support would still be given to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for now.

       “The current government was formed without the people’s mandate but functions with the trust of Barisan, Perikatan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Pakatan Harapan for political stability.

       “We give our fullest support to the Prime Minister and support the memorandum of understanding with Pakatan for stability. However, this is all temporary in nature.

       “When the time comes, the government must get back the mandate,” he said.

       “They need to dissolve Parliament and contest in an election immediately.”.