BN, PAS call for snap election as they retract support for Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25): Barisan Nasional and PAS have retracted their support for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's leadership under a new political coalition — Muafakat Nasional, saying instead they want a snap election to be called.

This is because they do not agree with Dr Mahathir's proposal to form a unity government, which will include DAP.

In a press conference today, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa (pictured) said Dr Mahathir's plan goes against the conditional support they had voiced for him earlier. "As such the support we gave to Mahathir to form a coalition without DAP, we are forced to take it back," he told reporters at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who was also present, said there was previously an agreement in principal to form a new coalition.

“In fact we have obtained 130 [statutory declarations to be delivered to the Palace], under a collaboration called Perikatan Nasional. But what was planned did not go through as the prime minister resigned [on Monday],” said Takiyuddin.

Takiyuddin also expressed the coalition’s view that the lingering uncertainty from PH’s fallout is “unfair to the people”. As such, Takiyuddin called for the Parliament to be dissolved so the voters can decide on the new federal government.

Also present at the press conference were leaders from MCA and MIC. Not present were Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang.

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